COVID-19 Effects on Emotional Eating, Dietary Habits, and Physical Activity among Adolescents in Accra, Ghana

Upon completion, participants will be able to evaluate how emotional eating, dietary and physical activity habits among adolescents related with each other during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though adolescence is generally regarded as healthy, research shows that the occurrence of many chronic diseases emanate from this period due to the establishment of bad life style behaviors such as unhealthy dietary patterns and physical inactivity. The COVID-19 pandemic came along with the imposition of restrictions that impacted several facets of life likely to impact on the wellbeing of adolescents. A total of 390 adolescents completed the three-factor eating questionnaire that assessed cognitive restraint, emotional and uncontrolled eating. Dietary habits were assessed with a food frequency questionnaire, and physical activity by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Relationships were determined by Pearson’s Chi-squared test. Emotional eating was seen in more than a quarter of adolescents (females 37.7%; males 41.7%). More males (34.4%) scored high on cognitive restraint compared to females (26.4%). Uncontrolled eating was better in females (23%) than males (29.1%). Time spent watching TV is associated with intake of unpolished cereals (p=0.018), fast foods (p=0.001) and pastries (p=0.050). In addition, an association was found for time spent reading and frequency of consumption of legumes (p=0.010) and pastries consumption (p≤0.001). Majority (89%) had low physical activity. This was found to be significantly associated with consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (p=0.034) and unpolished cereals (p=0.012). Findings suggest the eating habits and physical activity levels of the adolescents during the COVID -19 pandemic were generally poor.