Abstract
ObjectiveThe 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.MethodsSchoolchildren (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.ResultsSchoolchildren 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.ConclusionStrategies 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.
Highlights
The rapid growth of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection worldwide (>3.4 million COVID-19 infections) has caused more than 230,000 deaths as of May 1, 2020 [1]
Consistent with previous findings [11, 20,21,22], the present study found that schoolchildren with overweight had higher levels of psychological distress and perceived weight stigma than their normal-weight counterparts
Schoolchildren with overweight suffered from stress, depression, perceived weight stigma, and fear of COVID-19 infection during the COVID-19 outbreak period
Summary
The rapid growth of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection worldwide (>3.4 million COVID-19 infections) has caused more than 230,000 deaths as of May 1, 2020 [1]. The absence of an effective treatment means that healthcare providers have paid extensive attention to people who are vulnerable to the COVID-19. This includes those with chronic disease (e.g., diabetes, coronary heart disease), compromised immune systems, and those with overweight (including obesity). Recent studies found that the general population with chronic diseases were vulnerable to greater psychological impact and stress during the outbreak and peak of the COVID-19 pandemic [2, 3]. Patients with overweight may disproportionately develop severe comorbidities following COVID-19 infection [4]. This suggestion is supported by previous work investigating the relationship between influenza and overweight. The altered immune response and sedentary lifestyle that influence physiological health contribute to poorer
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