Nutrients · 7 authors, 7 centres
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This Norwegian population-based cohort study (n=24,968 at baseline) assessed BMI changes and their associations with psychological distress, emotional eating, and lifestyle factors during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mean BMI increased from 25.7 to 26.2 kg/m² over two years, with high psychological distress, daily emotional eating, and low physical activity associated with higher BMI and greater BMI increases over time.
Using linear mixed models, mediation analyses, and structural equation modeling, the study found mean BMI increased from 25.7 to 26.2 kg/m² over two years, with the obesity proportion rising from 14% to 16%. Extreme psychological distress was associated with higher baseline BMI and greater yearly BMI increases. Daily emotional eating was associated with higher baseline BMI and substantial yearly increases. Findings suggest psychological distress was linked to weight gain partly through emotional eating during the pandemic.
