Enquiring into Experiences of Fear, Posttraumatic Stress and Nutritional Habits of Medical Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and post-traumatic stress disorder on eating disorders and eating habits.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study employed 562 (167 males, and 395 females) medical students, utilizing the fear of COVID-19 scale, COVID-19 peritraumatic distress index (CPDI), SCOFF (REZZY) eating disorders scale and Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS) scale.
Results: Of the participants, 292 (52.0%) had an adequate/balanced diet, and 339 (60.3%) students had an average sleep time of <8 hours. The REZZY scale score showed 198 (35.2%) students had an eating disorder risk, and MEDAS scores exhibited 320 (56.9%) students had incompatible diets. A significant correlation was detected between the REZZY score and the fear of COVID-19 scale score (p=0.003) and CPDI score (p<0.001). The CPDI scores of the underweight participants and those with normal body mass index (BMI) class were significantly higher (p=0.009). A significant difference was spotted in respecting REZZY scores according to BMI classes (p<0.001). The ones with normal BMI class had significantly higher MEDAS score (p=0.031). Females were 2.315 times more likely to develop eating disorders. BMI value affected the risk of eating disorders (p<0.001). When BMI (kg/m2) increased by 1 unit, the risk of eating disorders would increase by 1.220 times. Adequate and balanced nutrition had a significant impact on the risk of eating disorders (p=0.018).
Conclusion: Assuring adequate and balanced nutrition and eliminating fears and stresses experienced during epidemics are essential.