Do Physical Activity and COVID-19-Related Anxiety Affect Eating Disorders? Eating disordes and physical activity

Background: Eating disorder is one of the most common disorders among adolescents and young females. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between eating disorders (nutrition attitude) with nutrition knowledge, physical activity level, and COVID-19-related anxiety in female students. Methods The present research was a correlational and causal-comparative study. The statistical population consisted of all female students of Farhangian University of Mashhad (1500 students) in 2021, of whom 247 students were randomly selected. Out of whom, 107 students were active and 140 inactive. Nutrition knowledge, eating disorder, COVID-19-related anxiety, physical activity level, and health-related anthropometric parameters were assessed via the online survey. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression in SPSS software. Results The results showed that there was a significant difference between active and inactive students in nutrition knowledge (P=0.01), eating disorders (P=0.003), COVID-19-related anxiety, and physical activity level (P=0.001). Additionally, eating disorders correlated significantly with COVID-19-related anxiety and physical activity level (P=0.001). The linear regression results showed that COVID-19-related anxiety could predict eating disorders in female students (P=0.001). Despite a significant negative correlation between eating disorders and physical activity level, the regression model showed that the latter could not predict the former in female students (P>0.05). Conclusion According to the results, it can be said that in certain conditions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, increased anxiety levels can increase the prevalence of eating disorders. It seems that regular physical activity can indirectly reduce eating disorders by alleviating anxiety levels.