Research Review: Gaining “The Quarantine 15:” perceived versus observed weight changes in college students in the wake of COVID‐19

By: Emily Murray, RD, LDN

Research published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders examined college undergraduate students’ perceived weight changes to observed longitudinal changes in reported weight and BMI from January to April 2020 amidst COVID-19 lockdowns.

90 undergraduate college students (88% female) completed on‐line assessments before and after students were required to leave campus due to COVID‐19. Each survey collected demographic information, height, weight, and a Likert‐scale rating to describe perceived weight, ranging from 1 = very underweight to 5 = very overweight (weight description). The second survey added questions for perceived changes since COVID‐19 in body weight, eating, physical activity, various forms of screen time, and concerns about weight, shape, and eating.

The second survey indicated perceived increases in body weight, eating, and screen time, and decreases in physical activity along with increased concerns about weight, shape and eating since COVID‐19. Longitudinal data indicated no significant change in weight, body mass index (BMI), or BMI category, but in how participants described their weight had changed significantly from January to April 2020.

Bottom Line: Shifts in how body weight is experienced in the wake of COVID‐19 that do not align with observed changes in reported weight may reflect cognitive distortions that could increase risk for disordered eating in some individuals.