Background
Considering the various effects of the corona epidemic on humans, the current study was conducted to investigate adults’ nutritional patterns and the psychological status during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods and materials
This cross-sectional analytical study was performed on adults in Iran during the COVID-19 epidemic. A total of 315 participants were examined by the convenience sampling method. To collect data from the standard 21 questionnaire (das) and Eating Attitudes Test – 26 items were used. The data were analysis by SPSS and independent t-test, correlation coefficient, and chi-square analysis of variance at a significance level of less than 0.05.
Results
The mean age of the participants was 31.93±10.02 years. Based on the findings, 31.1% had some degree of depression, 29.5% had some degree of anxiety, and 31.7% have been affected by varying degrees of stress. Also, 8.7% of the participants had eating disorders. A statistically significant relationship was observed between depression score, anxiety score, stress score as well as an overall score of mental disorders and eating disorders; in such a way that with the increase of each of these cases, the score of eating disorders also increases.
Conclusion
Following the prevalence of the COVID-19 epidemic and its psychological effects, the level of stress and anxiety has increased. Awareness controlled the level of anxiety and stress and prevented its adverse effects on nutrition.
