Factors associated with body image dissatisfaction in a Brazilian university sample during the COVID-19 pandemic

Cunha, Carla de Magalhães; Pereira, Érika Sales Joviano; Souto, Maria Clara Reis; Sá, Laís Barbosa de; Silva, Helena Benes Matos da; Brito, Edleide de; Santana, Mônica Leila Portela de

doi:10.3389/feduc.2023.1044727

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…This research was approved by the ethics committee of the School of Nutrition at the Federal University of Bahia (approval number 4,125,928) in accordance with national health regulations for research involving human subjects and the recommendations for conducting research during the pandemic. More detailed information about other methodological aspects and additional cross-sectional analyses of the COCASa study have been described in separate manuscripts with different objectives [ 35 , 40 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, the recognition of the implications of weight stigma on disordered eating behaviors is significant in both pre-pandemic and pandemic settings across various populations [ 29 – 32 ], but its assessment remains limited in Brazil. Thus far, two isolated studies have investigated the association between these constructs among Brazilian adolescents in the pre-pandemic period [ 33 , 34 ], and one study was conducted with adults during the pandemic [ 35 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: the mediating role of weight gain concern and psychological distress

de Macêdo,

Brito,

de Magalhães Cunha

et al. 2023

Eat Weight Disord

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Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate whether the relationship between weight stigma experiences and disordered eating behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic is mediated by weight gain concern and psychological distress among university students with and without overweight. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with university students from five regions of Brazil who participated in the baseline assessment of the Online Cohort on Eating Behavior and Health (July/August 2020). Information on the frequency of binge eating episodes, food restriction, and purging, as well as experienced weight stigma, weight gain concern, and psychological distress, were recorded in an online questionnaire. Stratified structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses were performed to address the research questions of interest. Results Out of the total sample (n = 2511), 33.5% of participants reported experiencing weight stigma. The prevalence of binge eating episodes, food restriction, and purging was 43.7%, 24.1%, and 5.4%, respectively. These behaviors were more prevalent in individuals with overweight than in those without this condition. Furthermore, it was observed that weight gain concern and psychological distress mediated the relationship between weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors regardless of body weight status. Conclusions Experiences of weight stigma and disordered eating behaviors were prevalent among Brazilian university students, especially among those with overweight. Weight gain concern and psychological distress appear to be important factors underlying the relationship between these constructs during the pandemic, and they can contribute to the development of targeted strategies for the prevention and management of disordered eating. Level of evidence Level V, cross-sectional study.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%