Anxiety is associated with appetitive traits in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background COVID-19 has impacted mental health globally, however, associations between anxiety and appetitive traits during the pandemic are unreported. This study evaluated anxiety symptom severity and associations with appetitive traits in students at a large public University in the U.S. during the pandemic. Methods Current undergraduate and graduate/professional students completed a cross-sectional survey in fall 2020. Demographic information, anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and appetitive traits assessed by the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) were evaluated. Mean scores for eight AEBQ scales (four food approach and four food avoidance traits) were calculated. Differences in mean scores were examined between participants with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 score ≥ 10) and those with mild to no anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 score < 10) via independent samples t-tests and effect sizes. Associations between GAD-7 score and individual appetitive traits were also examined, adjusting for age and gender. Results Of the 1243 students who completed the survey (57% undergraduates; mean age = 26.5 years), 51.9% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. Groups experiencing the highest degree of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms included transgender, gender fluid, and other-gendered participants (73.6%); the youngest age group [18–20 years (62%)]; undergraduate students (60.7%); and Hispanic/Latinx participants (57.7%). Participants with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms had higher scores for most food approach and avoidance traits but lower scores for enjoyment of food than those with mild to no anxiety symptoms. Effect sizes were largest for hunger and emotional over-eating (Cohen’s d = 0.31 and 0.30, respectively). Adjusting for age and gender, GAD-7 score was significantly and positively associated with hunger, emotional over-eating, food and satiety responsiveness, and food fussiness and negatively associated with enjoyment of food. Conclusions Over half of students at a U.S. University reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms during COVID-19. More severe anxiety symptoms were associated with increased hunger, emotional over-eating, and food and satiety responsiveness and decreased enjoyment of food. Universities must consider strategies to address anxiety, particularly in younger students; transgender, gender fluid, and students of other genders; and across race/ethnicities keeping in mind associations with appetitive traits.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Food Consumption Behavior: Based on the Perspective of Accounting Data of Chinese Food Enterprises and Economic Theory

“…The COVID-19 crisis has presented unique challenges [ 3 ]; the pandemic has caused one of the worst crises in the world’s economy since the end of World War II [ 4 , 5 ]. COVID-19 has also changed people’s hygiene behaviors [ 6 , 7 ], and affected people’s food choice motive [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ] and appetitive traits [ 14 , 15 ]. The pandemic, and the restrictive measures taken to control the pandemic, have often led to uncertainty in demand and supply disruptions, which have ultimately affected product prices and household food consumption.…”

COVID-19 Pandemic and Eating Disorders among University Students

“…University students have been affected by the lockdown periods with disruptions in teaching with the switch of online learning to continue teaching, leading to worries about adapting to new methods [4]. The implementation of public health measures (including gym closures and prohibited group sports) has caused a decrease in physical activity [5] and a modification of eating habits among university students [6,7]. A recent review of the literature concluded that quarantine measures and the pandemic COVID-19 could have negative psychological effects, including, stress, anxiety, and depression [8,9], higher among university students than non-students [10].…”

Associations between Food Preferences, Food Approach, and Food Avoidance in a Polish Adolescents’ COVID-19 Experience (PLACE-19) Study Population

“…Taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic, it must be noted that the present global situation may change food priorities [ 16 ]. Appetitive traits also appear to be influenced by the pandemic, as it was reported that in this period students experience moderate-to-severe anxiety symptoms due to increased hunger, emotional over-eating, and food and satiety responsiveness, as well as decreased enjoyment of food [ 17 ]. Thus, the associations of food preferences and appetitive traits may also be modified, and so they should be studied in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”