Sosyal Bilimler ve Sağlık Bülteni

Özgün Makale

No. 16 (2025)

Examining The Eating Attitudes and Behaviors of Healthcare Workers During The COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study In Istanbul

Submitted
August 12, 2025
Published
2025-11-18

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the eating attitudes of healthcare workers working in a pandemic hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lifestyle variables associated with these attitudes during the pandemic period.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between November 2021 and April 2022 with 258 staff members working at Prof. Dr. Murat Dilmener Emergency Hospital. Participants were asked to answer questions about their eating habits during the COVID-19 period, and the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) scale was administered to them.

Findings: 141 participants were female, with an average age of 29.8 ± 8 years. During the pandemic, 35.3% of participants reported an increase in healthy eating behaviors. Risky eating attitudes were identified in 15.1% of participants. Among the YTT-26 items, the most frequently “always” responses were related to fear of weight gain, food control, calorie counting, and desire to be thin. In contrast, advanced eating disorder symptoms such as purging behavior, excessive guilt, and intense mental preoccupation with food were observed at lower rates.

The study identified statistically significant relationships between weight changes during the pandemic, increases in food purchasing quantities, changes in shopping duration, and eating attitudes. Additionally, it was found that an increase in work pace was significantly associated with eating disorder symptoms.

Conclusion: The pandemic period has led to changes in the eating habits of healthcare workers, either positively or negatively. Long-term studies are needed to determine whether these changes are permanent. The findings of the study highlight the need to support healthcare workers not only physically but also psychologically and behaviorally during crisis periods such as the pandemic. Therefore, it is important to develop comprehensive support programs to be prepared for similar situations.

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