Risk and protective factors for new‐onset binge eating, low weight, and self‐harm symptoms in &gt;35,000 individuals in the <scp>UK</scp> during the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 pandemic

Abstract

In a sample of 35,000 UK residents, people who had a psychiatric disorder, identified as being part of a racially minoritized group, were not in paid employment, or were more worried about the pandemic were more likely to experience binge eating, low weight, suicidal and/or self-harm ideation, and self-harm for the first time during the pandemic. People with these risk factors may need particular attention during future pandemics to enable early identification of new psychiatric symptoms.