Eating disorder symptoms among children and adolescents in Germany before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

BackgroundDisordered eating is highly prevalent among children and adolescents. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitalizations due to eating disorders have peaked and overweight has risen. The aim of this study was to determine differences in the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms among children and adolescents in Germany before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify associated factors.Materials and methodsEating disorder symptoms and associated factors were examined in a sample of n = 1,001 participants of the nationwide population-based COPSY study in autumn 2021. Standardized and validated instruments were used to survey 11–17-year-olds along with a respective parent. To identify differences in prevalence rates, logistic regression was used to compare results with data from n = 997 participants of the prepandemic BELLA study. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations with relevant factors in the pandemic COPSY sample.ResultsEating disorder symptoms were reported by 17.18% of females and 15.08% of males in the COPSY study. Prevalence rates were lower overall in the COPSY sample compared to before the pandemic. Male gender, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were associated with increased odds for eating disorder symptoms in the pandemic.ConclusionThe pandemic underscores the importance of further research, but also prevention and intervention programs that address disordered eating in children and adolescents, with a focus on age - and gender-specific differences and developments. In addition, screening instruments for eating disorder symptoms in youths need to be adapted and validated.

Structure and factorial invariance of a brief version of the Eating Attitudes Test in Peruvian university students

“…In addition, it is suggested that cross-cultural research is needed to determine the consistency and structure of EAT-8 in different geographical contexts of Peru. In addition, it is also relevant to conduct longitudinal studies to identify changes in EAT-8 scores after the state of social confinement because of COVID-19, given that during this period an increase in EBDs could be noted in different contexts (Cerniglia and Cimino, 2023;Napp et al, 2023). It should be noted that the present study was conducted before social isolation, which allowed us to maintain a view on EAT-8 levels prior to that period.…”

Erfahrungen und Auswirkungen von nicht-pharmakologischen Maßnahmen in der COVID-19 Pandemie bei Jugendlichen – eine Querschnittstudie unter 649 Schüler:innen der 10. Klassen in Witten (GeWIT-Studie)

“…Eine Zunahme von Esstörungen [21] sowie erhöhte Hospitalisierungsraten bei Anorexia Nervosa [22] im Rahmen der Pandemie wurden international beobachtet. Im Kon trast dazu konnte in einer Analyse der COPSY-Studie (COVID-19 and Psychological Health) eineReduktion von Esstörungs-Symptomen bei Mädchen während der COVID-19-Pandemie beobachtet werden, während in der männlichen Gruppe das Risiko anstieg [23]. Lockdowns scheinen insgesamt einen negativen Effekt auf die Gesundheit zu haben.…”

Pandemia de COVID-19 e o impacto em crianças e adolescentes com transtornos alimentares: uma revisão de literatura

“…Isso pois problemas relacionados à saúde mental na faixa pediátrica promovem maior risco de desenvolvimento de outros transtornos mentais na vida adulta. Entre os distúrbios emocionais envolvendo a pandemia estão a depressão, ansiedade, sintomas relacionados ao trauma e desenvolvimento ou exacerbação de sintomas relacionados a transtornos alimentares (TAs) (NAPP et al;SERUR et al;.…”

“…No mesmo viés, outros problemas se tornaram ainda mais evidentes, como é o caso dos TAs. O aumento desses se deram em virtude da perda de fatores de proteção e aumento dos elementos de risco na rotina de crianças e adolescentes (KATZMAN;NAPP et al;2021;.…”

“…Na etiologia desse problema estão fatores familiares, ambientais e sociais, as mídias sociais e a maior exposição aos seus conteúdos. Em conjunto, esses representam um contribuinte perigoso para comportamentos alimentares desregulados (KATZMAN;NAPP et al;2021;.…”