(P12-006-23) How Changes in Worry, Anxiety and Depression Impacted Men and Women Dietary Habits During COVID-19

Objectives: During the COVID-19 pandemic dietary changes occurred. The role of gender norms (e.g., occupation and childcare) were found to impacted men and women differently, but the role of biological sex is less clear. Mechanistic studies suggest sex differences in coping with stress, anxiety or depression could have played a role in dietary changes among men and women. This study assessed the impact of males and females ( >18 years) level of worry, anxiety, and depression caused by COVID-19 on changes in dietary habits.

Methods: A secondary analysis of the International COVID-19 Awareness and Responses Evaluation (iCARE) Study using Canadian data was conducted with covariate-adjusted multivariable logistic regression. iCARE is an international multi-wave cross-sectional observational cohort study of public awareness, attitudes, and responses to public health policies implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This study assessed associations between self-reported changes in worry (e.g., “worry about getting sick”), anxiety and depression (i.e., ‘small’, ‘medium’ and ‘high’ changes) on diet (i.e., healthy eating and alcohol) measured using Likert scales. Models were stratified by direction of change. Sex was explored as a moderator.

Results: 5798 males and 6164 females were recruited. Greater worry was associated with lower odds of healthy eating (p < .01) but no changes in alcohol intake. High (p < .01) and medium (p=.01) changes in anxiety and high changes in depression (p=.02) were associated with higher odds of eating healthy compared to no changes. Regardless of level of change, adults reported that increased anxiety (small, medium and high p< .01) or depression (small, medium and high p< .01) increased their odds of alcohol intake compared to no changes. Sex moderated the effects of having small changes in anxiety on the odds of eating healthy only.

Conclusions: These findings suggest that changes in worry, anxiety and depression with COVID-19 impacted dietary habits. ‘Small’ changes in anxiety may have a differing impact based on sex. Clarifying sex differences can help inform future interventions aiming to support dietary habits in a pandemic.

Funding Sources: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Canada Research Chairs Program, the Fonds de recherche du Québec, the Fonds de recherche du Québec, and the Ministère de l'Économie et de l’Innovation du Québec.