Emotional eating and depression during the pandemic: QuarantEat, an Italian nationwide survey

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the consequences of the pandemic lockdown among the Italian general population by focusing on depression and emotional overeating (EO).

Methods: QuarantEat was an Italian, nationwide, cross-sectional study conducted using a computer-assisted web interview method (May 6-31, 2020). The 40-item questionnaire included the five-item World Health Organization Wellbeing Index and EO Questionnaire-5. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed.

Results: A total of 1865 adults participated in the study. Depression and EO were reported by 57.6% and 49.3%, respectively, of the sample. When considering multivariable models, women, students, participants who smoked more/equal during lockdown, and individuals with EO were more likely to report depression. Following a healthier diet or exercising during lockdown reduced the probability of depression. The likelihood of EO was higher for participants who were female, consumed more food, had a less healthy diet, were overweight and obese, consumed more chocolate, consumed more snacks between meals or before going to sleep/during the night, and were at risk for depression. Increasing age, having a relationship, and not having increased television/computer watching time while eating reduced the odds of EO.

Conclusions: QuarantEat highlighted high levels of depression and EO right after the end of pandemic lockdown measures, and outlined the importance of the relationships between mental health and health risk behaviors, such as smoking, exercise, diet, and changes in eating behaviors due to the pandemic lockdown. Planning interventions using a holistic approach and reaching every individual to overcome the limits caused by the restrictive lockdown measures is essential.

Keywords: COVID-19; Depression; Emotional eating; Feeding behavior; Lockdown.