Changes in eating and exercise behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in a community sample: A retrospective report

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has generated extreme physical, psychological, and social consequences across the world, many of which have the potential to exacerbate disordered eating and exercise behaviors. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess changes in eating pathology and exercise behaviors as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in a community sample. METHOD: Participants (n = 159, M(age) = 27.59 years, 90.6% female) were individuals in the United States surveyed during COVID-19. Participants completed measures quantifying eating pathology, exercise behaviors, and motives for exercise both prior to and during the pandemic. RESULTS: All results compare variables prior to and during COVID-19. Overall, individuals with a prior eating disorder (ED) diagnosis did not report significantly different changes in eating or exercise pathology compared to the non-ED group. Participants had significantly fewer episodes of overeating (p < .05, d = −0.23) and eating with loss of control (p < .05, d = −0.23), but not objective binge episodes. Respondents also indicated an overall decrease in time spent on strength/weight activity (p < .05, d = −0.34) and increase in cardiovascular activity (p < .05, d = 0.19), as well as significant changes in motives for exercise. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that in a sample of primarily young adult females, with and without a prior ED, exercise behaviors and motives, but not eating pathology, shifted significantly in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further longitudinal studies examining the maintenance and potential risk of these changes are warranted, particularly in individuals at high risk, as the pandemic continues.