Life history strategy and overeating during COVID-19 pandemic: a moderated mediation model of sense of control and coronavirus stress

Abstract

Plain English summary One’s response is not arbitrary when confronted with COVID-19 pandemic. Previous research has found that individuals with fast life history strategies still be more prone to overeat. We also know from other research that sense of control is the most salient aspect of overeating. However, no research has investigated whether the life history strategy of college students is significantly associated with overeating and examine the potential mediating and moderating mechanisms in this association. With the aid of 3310 participants, we found that, life history strategy was linked to college students’ overeating. We also found that this relationship was partially explained by sense of control. In addition, the association between life history strategy and sense of control was stronger for those with lower coronavirus stress, and the association between sense of control and overeating was stronger for those with lower coronavirus stress. This study is an important step in unpacking how life history strategy relates to overeating in Chinese college students. However, they are limited by the cross-sectional nature of the study, meaning we cannot imply causality. We recommend that further research replicate our findings in people with diagnosed eating disorders using a longitudinal design.

Keywords

• Life history strategy
• Sense of control
• Coronavirus stress
• Overeating
• College students
• COVID-19