SABRİYE ERCAN, AHSEN OĞUL, FURKAN KÜÇÜK, CEM ÇETİN
Experimental and Applied Medical Science - 2021;2(2):154-163
The Covid 19 pandemic has led to dramatic changes in lifestyle across populations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between fear of Coronavirus, emotional eating behaviour and physical activity levels in individuals aged >65 years, and to determine the differences between individuals who did and did not gain weight during the pandemic. The study included individuals aged>65 years who were not diagnosed with Coronavirus disease (Covid 19). Participants’ demographic information, Fear of Covid 19 Scale scores, Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) scores, and physical activity levels according to the General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ) were recorded with an online questionnaire. The study included a total of 156 participants (72 females, 46.2%; 84 males, 53.8%). The average age was 71.86 ± 7.13 years. The average change in body mass index (BMI) between February 2020 and January 2021 was 0.80 ± 1.32 kg/m2. Participants were divided into two according to change in body mass index during the pandemic as weight gain (WG, n=104) and non weight gain (NWG, n=52) groups. The two groups were not different in terms of descriptive characteristics, the Fear of Covid 19 Scale scores, and physical activity levels (p>0.05). The WG group scored statistically higher in EEQ, and the EEQ type of food subscale (p=0.027, p=0.029, respectively). Current BMI, overall EEQ score, and EEQ disinhibition and type of food subscores were weakly positively correlated with the change in BMI (p<0.05). EEQ guilt subscores were weakly positively correlated with the age (p<0.05). The change in BMI during the Covid 19 quarantine was associated with the EEQ overall score and its subscales among elderly adults. Physical activity levels of groups were similar and participants who gained weight were more prone to emotional eating.
