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MDPI, Nutrients, 1(14), p. 100, 2021

DOI: 10.3390/nu14010100

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Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown in Eating Disorders: A Multicentre Collaborative International Study

Journal article published in 2021 by Isabel Baenas, Mikel Etxandi, Lucero Munguía ORCID, Roser Granero ORCID, Gemma Mestre-Bach ORCID, Isabel Sánchez, Emilio Ortega ORCID, Alba Andreu ORCID, Violeta L. Moize, Jose-Manuel Fernández-Real, Francisco J. Tinahones, Carlos Diéguez, Gema Frühbeck ORCID, Daniel Le Grange ORCID, Kate Tchanturia ORCID and other authors.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Background. The COVID-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on mental health. Patients with eating disorders (ED) have been particularly vulnerable. Aims. (1) To explore changes in eating-related symptoms and general psychopathology during lockdown in patients with an ED from various European and Asian countries; and (2) to assess differences related to diagnostic ED subtypes, age, and geography. Methods. The sample comprised 829 participants, diagnosed with an ED according to DSM-5 criteria from specialized ED units in Europe and Asia. Participants were assessed using the COVID-19 Isolation Scale (CIES). Results. Patients with binge eating disorder (BED) experienced the highest impact on weight and ED symptoms in comparison with other ED subtypes during lockdown, whereas individuals with other specified feeding and eating disorders (OFSED) had greater deterioration in general psychological functioning than subjects with other ED subtypes. Finally, Asian and younger individuals appeared to be more resilient. Conclusions. The psychopathological changes in ED patients during the COVID-19 lockdown varied by cultural context and individual variation in age and ED diagnosis. Clinical services may need to target preventive measures and adapt therapeutic approaches for the most vulnerable patients.