A influência da pandemia no uso da internet associada ao comportamento alimentar e imagem corporal de adultos

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the pandemic on Internet use and its association with eating behavior and body image in people living in the city of Belém, PA. Method: This was an epidemiological, cross-sectional study using a form developed by Google Forms and shared via social networks with the following inclusion criteria: living in Belém, PA, aged between 18 and 60 years, of both genders, literate, having access to the internet and being a user of social networks. Several statistical tests (chi-square, Mann-Whitney, Kappa, Wilcoxon) and the Silhouette Matching Task (STM) were applied. Results: The change to remote work was reality for 68%, the diagnosis of some psychological problem or trauma was 21%, the higher consumption of unhealthy food in the pandemic was 59%, the number of daily meals increased for 73% of people and regarding the volume, for 65%, and as a consequence brought feelings of guilt for 42% of participants. As for internet use, 55% increased their use in the pandemic, where 43% used it for social networks and 74% felt influenced in the way they view their body in front of content, of which 73% (n=54) were influenced negatively. Regarding the STM, 88% of participants showed dissatisfaction with their body image. Conclusion: Therefore, the Covid-19 pandemic implied changes in the individuals' way of working, eating behavior, body image perception and internet usage pattern.