Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Well-Being of Emerging Adult Populations: A Synthesis of Findings From the COVID-19 Eating and Activity Over Time (C-EAT) Study

Nicole Larson; Rebecca Emery Tavernier; Jerica M Berge; Daheia J Barr-Anderson; Dianne Neumark-Sztainer

doi:10.1177/21676968231166034

Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic for the Well-Being of Emerging Adult Populations: A Synthesis of Findings From the COVID-19 Eating and Activity Over Time (C-EAT) Study

Emerg Adulthood. 2023 Jun;11(3):779-796. doi: 10.1177/21676968231166034. Epub 2023 Mar 29.

Authors

Nicole Larson¹, Rebecca Emery Tavernier², Jerica M Berge³, Daheia J Barr-Anderson⁴, Dianne Neumark-Sztainer¹

Affiliations

¹ Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
² Department of Family Medicine and Biobehavioral Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, USA.
³ Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
⁴ School of Kinesiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA.

Abstract

Research addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial well-being and health behavior is accumulating; however, implications for emerging adult populations are underexplored. This manuscript synthesizes findings from a mixed-methods study of well-being, eating and activity behaviors, and food insecurity among a diverse, longitudinal cohort of emerging adults. The review includes findings from 11 original studies that involved collecting online surveys from 720 emerging adults and in-depth, virtual interviews with 33 respondents who were food insecure. Findings indicated the pandemic had widespread impacts on well-being. Population groups at greatest risk for poor outcomes included women; those who identified as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color; persons in households of low socioeconomic status; parents of young children; and persons who previously experienced mental health challenges or weight stigma. Further research will be needed to evaluate efforts to improve the well-being of emerging adults in the aftermath of the pandemic.

Keywords: eating behavior; emerging adulthood; interpersonal relationships; physical activity; psychosocial well-being.

Publication types

Review