EATING DISORDERS, SELF-MANAGEMENT, AND ANXIETY DISORDERS IN DIABETICS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of eating disorders and symptoms, anxiety and self-care management status, and factors that have an impact on eating disorders in diabetics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: This cross-sectional web-based study used a survey comprising a socio-demographic information form, the Bulimic Investigation Test of Edinburgh (BITE), Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale (PDSMS), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7). Independent samples t Test, Mann Whitney U Test, Chi Square Test, Pearson correlation analysis, and Simple Regression Analysis were applied to the variables. Results: Totally, 110 (52 Type 1, 58 Type 2) diabetics aged 18-65 participated in the study. BITE total score was determined as 20.92±7.99 (Min:8; Max:32). Eating disorder frequency was 29.1% while anxiety disorders frequency was 30.9%. Perceived Diabetes Self-Management Scale point is 24.80±3.85 (Min:8; Max:40). Married individuals and diabetics with anxiety disorder mostly had eating disorders (p.05). Anxiety was a significant predictor of eating disorders in diabetics (R=.45; R2 =.20; F (1.108)=28.61, p