Evaluation of perceived depression, anxiety, stress levels and emotional eating behaviours and their predictors among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective:This study aimed to (1) evaluate the prevalence and predictors of perceived depression, anxiety, stress (DAS) levels and emotional eating behaviours and (2) determine the correlations between DAS levels and emotional eating behaviours during the pandemic. Design:An online cross-sectional study included questions about demographic and anthropometric characteristics, dietary habits, Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EMAQ) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. The snowball sampling method was used. Setting:Turkiye. Participants:The study population was 2002 adults aged >= 18 years. Result:The mean age was 27 center dot 1 +/- 9 center dot 52 years (72 center dot 1 % females and 27 center dot 9 % males). The prevalence of moderate to severe DAS was reported as 27 center dot 8 %, 30 center dot 5 % and 30 center dot 7 %, respectively. Skipping meals (OR = 1 center dot 32, 95 % CI (1 center dot 14, 1 center dot 49)) was associated with depression. Weight gain (OR = 1 center dot 43, 95 % CI (1 center dot 19, 1 center dot 66); OR = 1 center dot 30, 95 % CI (1 center dot 14, 1 center dot 49); OR = 1 center dot 39, 95 % CI (1 center dot 14, 1 center dot 64)), weight loss (OR = 1 center dot 45, 95 % CI (1 center dot 20, 1 center dot 70); OR = 1 center dot 37, 95 % CI (1 center dot 11, 1 center dot 62); OR = 1 center dot 46, 95 % CI (1 center dot 20, 1 center dot 72)), exercising at least 150 min/week (OR = 0 center dot 64, 95 % CI (0 center dot 46, 0 center dot 83); OR = 0 center dot 73, 95 % CI (0 center dot 55, 0 center dot 92); OR = 0 center dot 83, 95 % CI (0 center dot 63, 1 center dot 02)), and maintaining an adequate and balanced diet (OR = 0 center dot 52, 95 % CI (0 center dot 33, 0 center dot 71); OR = 0 center dot 53, 95 % CI (0 center dot 34, 0 center dot 73); OR = 0 center dot 63, 95 % CI (-0 center dot 15, 0 center dot 35)) were associated with DAS, respectively. BMI (r = 0 center dot 169, P < 0 center dot 001), weight (r = 0 center dot 152, P < 0 center dot 001), number of snacks (r = 0 center dot 102, P = 0 center dot 011), depression (r = 0 center dot 060, P = 0 center dot 007), anxiety (r = 0 center dot 061, P = 0 center dot 006) and stress (r = 0 center dot 073, P = 0 center dot 001) levels were positively correlated with EMAQ-negative scores. Conclusion:Approximately one out of every three participants reported moderate to severe DAS levels. Emotional eating was significantly correlated with perceived DAS. The predictors obtained in the study suggest that a healthy diet and lifestyle behaviours are part of psychological well-being and emotional eating.