ArticleThe International journal of eating disorders2020
Eating disorders in times of the COVID-19 pandemic-Results from an online survey of patients with anorexia nervosa.
Article in The International journal of eating disorders, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 140 papers, 9 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
140 citing papers in PubMed, 9 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 276 citations in OpenAlex.
- Access and use of general and mental health services before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ open · 2025Pooled it
- Pooled it
- COVID-19-related changes in eating disorder pathology, emotional and binge eating and need for care: a systematic review with frequentist and Bayesian meta-analyses.Eating and weight disorders : EWD · 2023Pooled it
- The Acute Impact of the Early Stages of COVID-19 Pandemic in People with Pre-Existing Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2022Pooled it
- The prevalence of mental health outcomes among eating disorder patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A meta-analysis.Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 2022Pooled it
- Effects of COVID-19 lockdown on eating disorders and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association · 2021Pooled it
- COVID-19 Pandemic and Eating Disorders: What Can We Learn About Psychopathology and Treatment? A Systematic Review.Current psychiatry reports · 2021Pooled it
- Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health in Adolescents: A Systematic Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2021Pooled it
- Eating Disorders Spectrum During the COVID Pandemic: A Systematic Review.Frontiers in psychology · 2021Pooled it
- Eating behaviour and symptom trajectories in patients with a history of binge eating disorder during COVID-19 pandemic.European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association · 2021Trial
- COVID-19-Related Stress and Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: Early Detection, Similar Illness Course.The International journal of eating disorders · 2026Article
- Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Psychopathology at the Onset of Eating Disorders.European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association · 2026Article
- Clinical outcomes of restricting-type anorexia nervosa onset in female adolescents and young adults aged 12-24 years during Japan's first COVID-19 state of emergency.Journal of eating disorders · 2026Article
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorder symptoms and COVID-19-related stress.Journal of eating disorders · 2026Article
- Maladaptive Exercise in People With a Lifetime History of Eating Disorders: A Multicountry Observational Study.The International journal of eating disorders · 2026Observational
- Presentations of eating disorders among youth in Türkiye before and after COVID-19: lessons learned for the future.Journal of eating disorders · 2025Article
- Feeling Better Before, Not After: An Ecological Momentary Assessment of Affect Around Exercise in Women with Eating Disorders.medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences · 2025Article
- Mental health changes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents with mental disorders.European child & adolescent psychiatry · 2025Article
- E-Mental Health Interventions in Inpatient Care: Scoping Review.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Mediating Factors and Demographic Disparities Associated With Disordered Eating in University Students During the Era of COVID-19.European eating disorders review : the journal of the Eating Disorders Association · 2025Article
80 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting public restrictions pose a psychological burden for humans worldwide and may be particularly detrimental for individuals with mental disorders. Therefore, the current study explored effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorder (ED) symptoms and other psychological aspects in former inpatients with anorexia nervosa (AN).
methodOne-hundred and fifty-nine patients with AN-discharged from inpatient treatment in 2019-completed an online survey on contact history with COVID-19, changes in ED symptoms and other psychological aspects, health care utilization, and strategies patients employed to cope during the pandemic.
resultsApproximately 70% of patients reported that eating, shape and weight concerns, drive for physical activity, loneliness, sadness, and inner restlessness increased during the pandemic. Access to in-person psychotherapies and visits at the general practitioner (including weight checks) decreased by 37% and 46%, respectively. Videoconference therapy was used by 26% and telephone contacts by 35% of patients. Patients experienced daily routines, day planning and enjoyable activities as the most helpful among the most used coping strategies. DISCUSSION: The COVID-19 pandemic poses great challenges to patients with AN. ED-related thoughts and behaviors may be used as dysfunctional coping mechanisms to regain control over the current circumstances. E-mental health interventions appear to be promising for supporting AN patients during these hard times. Furthermore, interventions addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as intolerance of uncertainty might help them manage their ED symptoms.
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