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. 2022 Sep 6:13:926709.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.926709. eCollection 2022.

The impacts of COVID-19 on eating disorders and disordered eating: A mixed studies systematic review and implications

Courtney P McLean  1 , Ranjani Utpala  2 , Gemma Sharp  1
Affiliations

The impacts of COVID-19 on eating disorders and disordered eating: A mixed studies systematic review and implications

Courtney P McLean et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Purpose: The unique constraints to everyday life brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic have been suggested to negatively impact those with pre-existing mental health issues such as eating disorders. While individuals with eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors likely represent a vulnerable group to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the pandemic is yet to be fully established.

Methods: We systematically examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors. We searched electronic databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE for literature published until October 2021. Eligible studies were required to report on individuals with or without a diagnosed eating disorder or disordered eating behaviors who were exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings: Seventy-two studies met eligibility criteria with the majority reporting an increase in eating disorder or disordered eating behaviors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, it appears children and adolescents and individuals with a diagnosed eating disorder may present vulnerable groups to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion: This mixed systematic review provides a timely insight into COVID-19 eating disorder literature and will assist in understanding possible future long-term impacts of the pandemic on eating disorder behaviors. It appears that the role of stress in the development and maintenance of eating disorders may have been intensified to cope with the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Future research is needed among understudied and minority groups and to examine the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=284749, PROSPERO [CRD42021284749].

Keywords: COVID-19; disordered eating; eating behavior and eating disorder; eating disorder; pandemic (COVID-19); systematic review.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Author RU was employed by the Butterfly Foundation. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram of study selection process.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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