Body Image, Anxiety, and Bulimic Behavior during Confinement Due to COVID-19 in Mexico

Background: The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight, shape-related appearance behaviors (body image dissatisfaction), and bulimic symptoms in nonclinical participants is poorly evaluated. This study aimed to identify the relationship between labor status, confinement degree due to CO...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gisela Pineda-García, Aracely Serrano-Medina, Estefanía Ochoa-Ruíz, Ana Laura Martínez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-10-01
Series:Healthcare
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/9/11/1435
Description
Summary:Background: The potential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight, shape-related appearance behaviors (body image dissatisfaction), and bulimic symptoms in nonclinical participants is poorly evaluated. This study aimed to identify the relationship between labor status, confinement degree due to COVID-19, dissatisfaction with body image, and anxiety and to discover its effect on bulimic behavior in Mexican adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a non-probabilistic sample of 276 participants via an online survey. Questions addressed their anxiety, body image dissatisfaction, and bulimic behavior. Results: The path analysis showed direct effects on the confinement degree (<i>β</i> = −0.157); of the labor situation (<i>β</i> = −0.147) and gender (<i>β</i> = 0.129) on anxiety; of dissatisfaction on bulimic behavior (<i>β</i> = 0.443) and anxiety about bulimic behavior (<i>β</i> = 0.184); and dissatisfaction (<i>β</i> = 0.085). Conclusions: The confinement, gender, and labor status are predictors of anxiety, while anxiety and body dissatisfaction directly influence bulimic behavior.
ISSN:2227-9032