Adolescent and young adult prone to developing an eating disorder during COVID-19 lockdown?

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has made many nations to declare national wide lockdown. India, with the youngest populated country, has to declare a national wide lockdown to prevent the transmission. By imposing a national wide lockdown, many sections of societies are being a victim of mental illness and are affected psychologically and socially. Particularly, adolescents and young adult groups, are exposed to unregulated lifestyle and eating habits due to the closure of schools, colleges, and offices. The aim and purpose of this study is to find that the COVID-19 lockdown will result in developing eating disorders in present as well as in the future among adolescents and young adults. The size of the sample is 54 (30 female and 24 male) aged 13-30, who are considered adolescent and young adults. SCOFF questionnaire by John F Morgan was used as a screening instrument to find the chance of having an eating disorder. The result shows that 20 (11 female and 9 male) out of 54 were likely to have an eating disorder. Additionally, the consumption of food quantity regarding pre and present COVID-19 lockdown have also changed. Further by referring to literature, factors such as social media, psychological distress, family, and perception on a healthy diet also have an important role to play in developing an eating disorder during COVID-19 lockdown. The study concludes that COVID-19 being a life-changing event for many, have a chance of developing an eating disorder in the future and changing the perception of health and diet, which may threaten developing Orthorexia Nervosa. During this lockdown, it appears that there is a higher chance of developing an eating disorder such as Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-eating disorder.