Research Links COVID-19 With Unhealthy Eating Behaviors

(Newswire.net — March 11, 2022) Orlando, FL — Today, more and more people are struggling to follow the right diet, let alone adhere to healthy eating behaviors. There are many factors that influence eating behaviors, and surprisingly, it has been found Covid-19 may play a role. 

A study was carried out by researchers from the University of Minnesota Medical School and the School of Public Health.

In this research, they found a link between Covid-19 and six unhealthy eating behaviors. 

Scientists say that eating disorders slightly increased or re-emerged. It is worth mentioning that these disorders take the lives of approximately 10,200 people every year — about one person every 52 minutes. 

U of M Medical School’s Melissa Simone, Ph.D., a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, collaborated with Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Ph.D., MPH.

Neumark-Sztainer is a School of Public Health professor and head of the Division of Epidemiology and Community Health.

They were trying to learn from study participants in Neumark-Sztainer’s Project EAT between April and May 2020.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the rapid implementation of public health policies to reduce transmission of the virus. While these protections are necessary, the disruptions to daily life associated with the ongoing pandemic may have significant negative consequences for the risk of eating disorders and symptoms,” said Simone, who is the lead author of the study. 

The findings of this interesting research were published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders. 

“Eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates across all psychiatric health concerns, and therefore, it is important to try to make links between the consequences of the pandemic and disordered eating behaviors.”

The researchers found eating behavioral changes namely mindless eating and snacking, increased food intake, a general reduction in appetite or dietary intake, eating to cope, pandemic-related reductions in dietary intake, and, a re-emergence or marked increase in eating disorder symptoms.

Unhealthy eating behaviors can lead to poor health outcomes. It is recommended to maintain a healthy eating behavior to ward off diseases. Proper nutrition is vital for disease protection and in enhancing immune system health, which is essential during these times of global health crisis.

There are many vitamins identified to be particularly helpful during this pandemic, and they include B vitamins. This is due to the fact that certain B vitamins are found useful in immune system health and protection.

To benefit from the healing goodness of these nutrients, it is wise to use formulas like Divine Bounty B Vitamin Complex. It contains Choline, Pantothenic acid, Biotin, Vitamin B12, Folic Acid, Niacin, Riboflavin, Thiamin, and vitamin B6. (www.amazon.com/dp/B07414752B).