Psychological distress and internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight during the COVID-19 outbreak

Jan 26, 2021International journal of obesity (2005)

Psychological distress and internet use in schoolchildren with and without overweight during COVID-19

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Abstract

Schoolchildren with overweight reported significantly higher levels of COVID-19 infection fear, stress, depression, perceived weight stigma, and problematic social media use compared to those without overweight.

Psychological distress includes fear of COVID-19, stress, anxiety, and depression.
Perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors significantly predict psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight.
The study involved 1357 schoolchildren, with 236 classified as having overweight.
Higher psychological distress in children with overweight may be linked to social policy changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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OBJECTIVE: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and its resulting social policy changes may result in psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight. This study thus aimed to (1) compare psychological distress (including fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, and depression), perceived weight stigma, and problematic internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight; (2) assess whether perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors explained psychological distress.

METHODS: Schoolchildren (n = 1357; mean age = 10.7 years) with overweight (n = 236) and without overweight (n = 1121) completed an online survey assessing their fear of COVID-19 infection, stress, anxiety, depression, perceived weight stigma, problematic smartphone application use, problematic social media use, and problematic gaming.

RESULTS: Schoolchildren with overweight had significantly higher levels of COVID-19 infection fear, stress, depression, perceived weight stigma, and problematic social media use than those without overweight. Regression models showed that perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors were significant predictors of psychological distress among schoolchildren with overweight.

CONCLUSION: Strategies to manage perceived weight stigma and problematic internet-related behaviors may have a positive influence on mental health among schoolchildren with overweight under health-threatening circumstances, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

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Psychological distress and internet-related behaviors between schoolchildren with and without overweight during the COVID-19 outbreak

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