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Major
Neuroscience
Anticipated Graduation Year
2023
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Changes in routines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate risk for weight gain and obesity, particularly for youth with compromised executive function (EF). The present study found that youth with EF problems engaged in more frequent snacking and more bored snacking during lockdowns. COVID-19-related stress did not moderate this relation, and further moderators are explored. These unhealthy snacking behaviors increase risk for obesity and can have lifelong implications on health.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Elizabeth Rea, MA; Hannah Hagy, MA; Amy Bohnert, PhD, Department of Psychology
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Relations between executive function and snacking behaviors in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic
Changes in routines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate risk for weight gain and obesity, particularly for youth with compromised executive function (EF). The present study found that youth with EF problems engaged in more frequent snacking and more bored snacking during lockdowns. COVID-19-related stress did not moderate this relation, and further moderators are explored. These unhealthy snacking behaviors increase risk for obesity and can have lifelong implications on health.