Mental Health and Obesity During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression in the population. These are associated with unhealthy eating patterns and sedentary behaviour. In turn, this may increase risk of obesity or aggravate it. This narrative review discusses the link between adverse mental health states and weight related behaviours. We present emerging evidence for this phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals with and without pre-existing obesity. RECENT FINDINGS: A sizeable proportion of the population exhibits deterioration in mental health during the pandemic and those affected often report unhealthy weight-related behaviours such as “junk food” consumption and physical inactivity. Women, individuals with obesity, and those with pre-existing mental health conditions seem to be particularly at risk for overeating in response to stress (i.e. emotional eating). A number of psychological interventions including cognitive behavioural therapy and self-compassion may be effective in improving mental health and emotional eating patterns among the general population and particularly in individuals living with obesity. SUMMARY: There is a need to complement efforts to improve mental health in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic with targeted action to improve physical activity levels and healthy eating particularly among groups at-risk. This may be achieved by reducing disruptions to specialist and primary healthcare services and facilitating access to psychological interventions that address stress-related eating behaviours. Additional studies that examine such interventions, especially those that are delivered remotely, are urgently needed.