Weight change-related factors during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cross-sectional study using social cognitive theory

BACKGROUND: Published studies during the Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic have focused on eating and exercise behaviors and failed to portray a comprehensive understanding of the factors associated with weight change in a setting of a behavioral change framework. This study explores factors associated with weight change during the COVID-19 pandemic among Lebanese residents using the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) framework, integrating behavioral, environmental, and cognitive factors. MATERIALS & METHODS: This study uses a cross-sectional design using an anonymous online survey. Participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital patient portal and social media posts. The survey included four domains: demographics, cognitive, behavioral, psychological, and environmental factors. Multiple validated self-reported instruments were included Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 items (GAD-2), Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2), General Self Efficacy Scale (GSES), Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise (AUDIT-C), and the dietary pattern evaluation tool. RESULTS: A sample of 335 complete responses was obtained. Mean age was 39.0 ± 13.4 years old. Participants were mostly females (n = 224, 66.9%), employed (n = 191, 57.4%), nonsmokers (n = 227, 70.5%), reporting depression (n = 224, 80.3%) and anxiety (n = 242, 84.3%). Mean weight change was −7.0 ± 6.0 kg in the decrease weight group and 6.4 ± 5.0 kg in the increase group. When compared to stable weight, the multinomial logistic model factors that were found to correlate significantly to weight gain were: overeating/binge eating (p-value = 0.001) and unbalanced food pattern (p-value = 0.012). Baseline BMI (p-value = 0.003), anxiety (p-value = 0.020) and smoking (p-value = 0.004) were significant factors of weight loss as compared to stable weight. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19-related weight change is multifactorial and is associated with specific behavior and individual characteristics. Hence, addressing people’s behaviors and relationship to food is vital to control weight change during this continuing and future pandemic or natural occurrence.