Evaluation of depression, anxiety, risky eating behaviors, eating habits and physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic among adolescents in Mexico City

Abstract Introduction: during the pandemic, an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as lifestyle changes in adolescents has been reported. Objectives: to evaluate anxiety and depression symptoms, risky eating behaviors (REB), eating habits and physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexican adolescents; to associate the study variables with the development of REB. Methods: a study was performed with a sample of 2,710 adolescents. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Questionnaire to measure Risky Eating Behaviors were applied; eating habits and physical activity were evaluated. A Multivariate Logistic Regression analysis was performed to evaluate an association between study variables and REB. Results it was found that 34.4 % and 47.2 % of the adolescents presented symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Furthermore, 10.6 % had REB and 18.1 % were at risk of REB. The combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 46.5 %; only 13.1 % of the participants had healthy eating habits and 18.2 % adequate physical activity. Symptoms of depression (p < 0.0001), anxiety (p < 0.0001), higher BMI (p < 0.0001), female sex, excessive consumption of sugary drinks, eating outside the home (p < 0.0001), and lifestyle (p = 0.001) were associated with REB. Conclusions: confinement caused chaos on the lifestyle of adolescents as well as their psychological health. It is essential to develop educational programs that involve government authorities, parents and health agencies to reinforce the topics of healthy eating, physical activity and mental health in the country&#8217;s secondary schools.