An investigation of the effects of COVID-19 fear on the nutrition habits and emotional appetites of healthcare professionals.

This article focuses on the impact of COVID-19-related fear on the emotional eating behaviors and dietary habits of healthcare professionals in Turkey during the pandemic. Using the Fear of COVID-19 Scale and the Emotional Appetite Questionnaire (EAQ), the study found that female healthcare workers exhibited higher levels of COVID-19 fear than males, and that increased fear was associated with a greater risk of positive emotional appetite, particularly among overweight and obese individuals. Changes in appetite, meal frequency, and food purchasing habits were linked to fear levels, with dietitians and nurses reporting higher fear scores. The findings underscore the need for targeted psychological and nutritional interventions to support healthcare professionals’ well-being during and after pandemics.