Enquiring into Experiences of Fear, Posttraumatic Stress and Nutritional Habits of Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and post-traumatic stress disorder on eating disorders and eating habits. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study employed 562 (167 males, and 395 females) medical students, utilizing the fear of COVID-19 scale, COVID-19 peritraumatic distress index (CPDI), SCOFF (REZZY) eating disorders scale and Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS) scale. Results: Of the participants, 292 (52.0%) had an adequate/balanced diet, and 339 (60.3%) students had an average sleep time of <8 hours. The REZZY scale score showed 198 (35.2%) students had an eating disorder risk, and MEDAS scores exhibited 320 (56.9%) students had incompatible diets. A significant correlation was detected between the REZZY score and the fear of COVID-19 scale score (p=0.003) and CPDI score (p<0.001). The CPDI scores of the underweight participants and those with normal body mass index (BMI) class were significantly higher (p=0.009). A significant difference was spotted in respecting REZZY scores according to BMI classes (p<0.001). The ones with normal BMI class had significantly higher MEDAS score (p=0.031). Females were 2.315 times more likely to develop eating disorders. BMI value affected the risk of eating disorders (p<0.001). When BMI (kg/m2) increased by 1 unit, the risk of eating disorders would increase by 1.220 times. Adequate and balanced nutrition had a significant impact on the risk of eating disorders (p=0.018). Conclusion: Assuring adequate and balanced nutrition and eliminating fears and stresses experienced during epidemics are essential.

Keywords

• Covid-19 fear
• eating disorders
• medical students
• post-traumatic stress

Tıp Fakültesi Öğrencilerinin COVID-19 Pandemisi Sırasında Korku, Travma Sonrası Stres ve Beslenme Alışkanlıklarının İrdelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Bu araştırmanın amacı, koronavirüs hastalığı 2019 (coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19) korkusu ve posttravmatik stres bozukluğunun yeme bozuklukları ve yeme alışkanlıkları üzerindeki etkilerinin belirlenmesidir. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Kesitsel tanımlayıcı çalışma, COVID-19 korku ölçeği, COVID-19 peritravmatik stres indeksi (COVID-19 peritraumatic distress index, CPDI), REZZY yeme bozuklukları ölçeği ve Akdeniz diyetine uyum izleme (Mediterranean diet adherence screener, MEDAS) ölçeği kullanılarak 562 (167 erkek ve 395 kadın) tıp öğrencisiyle gerçekleştirildi. Bulgular: Katılımcıların 292 (%52,0)’sinin yeterli/dengeli beslendiği ve 339 (%60,3) öğrencinin <8 saat ortalama uyku süresi olduğu belirlendi. REZZY ölçeği puanı 198 (%35,2) öğrencinin yeme bozukluğu riski taşıdığını gösterirken MEDAS puanı ise 320 (%56,9) öğrencinin uyumsuz diyet yaptığını ortaya koydu. REZZY puanı ile COVID-19 korku ölçeği puanı (p=0,003) ve CPDI puanı (p<0,001) arasında anlamlı bir korelasyon bulundu. Zayıf olan katılımcılarla normal vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ) sınıfında olanların CPDI puanları anlamlı derecede yüksekti (p=0,009). VKİ sınıflarına göre REZZY puanlarında anlamlı bir farklılık tespit edildi (p<0,001). Normal VKİ sınıfında olanlar anlamlı derecede yüksek MEDAS puanına sahipti (p=0,031). Kadınların yeme bozukluğu ortaya çıkma riski 2,315 kat daha fazlaydı. VKİ değeri yeme bozukluğu riskini etkilemekteydi (p<0,001). VKİ (kg/m2) 1 birim arttığında yeme bozukluğu riski 1,220 kat artmaktadır. Yeterli ve dengeli beslenmenin yeme bozukluğu riski üzerine anlamlı bir etkisi vardı (p=0,018). Sonuç: Salgınlarda, yeterli ve dengeli beslenmenin sağlanması ve deneyimlenen korku ve stresin bertaraf edilmesi elzemdir.

Keywords

• covid-19 korkusu
• yeme bozukluğu
• tıp öğrencileri
• posttravmatik stres

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