Contrary to expectations, negative mood and low social contact linked to less unhealthy eating during covid-19 lockdown

Contrary to expectations, negative mood and low social contact linked to less unhealthy eating during covid-19 lockdown


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During the first covid-19 lockdown, researchers at the university of vienna assessed the influence of stress, mood, and social interactions on unhealthy eating habits in Nearly 800 Participants Austria, Italy, and Germany. Surprisingly, Results Showed that Negative Mood and Fewer Social Interactions LED to a decrease in unhealthy food consumption and enjoyment.

At the same time, eating unhealthy meals in fact see to help maintain alredy positive emotions and Reduce Stress – But Not to Uplift a negative mood. These findings highlight the role of food in coping with emotional challenges.

The study, LED by psychologists ana stijovic and giorgia silani from the university of vienna, was Published in the journey Biological psychiatry,

In Previous Studies, Covid-19 Lockdowns Were Linked To A SURGE In Unhealthy Food-Related Behaviors. The psychological cause of such behaviors have remained unclear. They were potentially seen as an attempt to copy disrupted social habits and negative feelings.

In order to undersrstand such a relationship, this new study examined the association Between Momentary Stress, Mood, Social Interacts, and Unhealthy Foood-Related Behavirs in Everyday Life.

To do so, an international team Led by ana stijovic and giorgia Silani from the department of clinical and health psychology at the university of vienna analyzed data collected Data collecting the first covid-19 lockdown in lock Austria, Italy and Germany.

The Nearly 800 Participants Reported Multiple Times A Day, For Seven Consective Days, on Momentary Stress, Mood, Desire for FOOD RIT and Salt, Consumption and ENJOYENT OF ENJOYENT OF ENJOYENT ON Quantity and quality of social interactions. The scientists asked about Food Such as Chocolate, Crisps, Fast Food, Sweets and Cheese. Their findings disproved the previous assumptions.

“Contrary to our expectations, results showed that Positive Mood and Quantity and Quality of Social Interactions Were Associated With Greater ‘Unhealthy’ Unhealthy ‘Unhealthy’ Unhealth Negative Mood and Less Social Contact With Less Consumption and Enjoyment, “Explains Giorgia Silani.

“Eating togeether has an important role in support and these Occasions involve a higher provision of food than in private settings. Therefore, FOOD CONSUMPTION IS ALSO HIGER HIGER That a Lack of social interaction was also linked to less consumption of a wide variety of other rewards, like watching tv or smoking. “

At the same time, Unhealthy Food Consumption was linked to a reduction in stress and an increase in calmness, suggesting that unhealthy food was still used to register mood. But “Food was used to maintain an alredy positive mood, not so much to uplift a negative mood,” Says Silani. These Findings Highlight the Complex Interplay Between Affective and Social Factors Influencing Unhealthy Eating Behaviors.

More information:
Ana Stijovic et al, Affective and Social Predictors of Food Consumption during the covid-19 lockdown, Biological psychiatry (2025). Doi: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.02.007

Provided by University of Vienna


Citation: Contrary to expectations, negative mood and low social contact linked to less unhealthy eating during covid-19 lockdown (2025, February 28) Retrie 28)

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