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Food insecurity and eating disorder pathology
Carolyn Black Becker1, Keesha Middlemass2, Brigitte Taylor1
1Department of Psychology, Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas.
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|June 20, 2017
Summary
Food insecurity is linked to increased eating disorder (ED) pathology, including binge eating and weight self-stigma. This study highlights the urgent need for global attention to this association.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Clinical Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Food insecurity affects marginalized populations globally.
- Eating disorder (ED) pathology is a significant public health concern.
- The relationship between food insecurity and ED pathology requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate eating disorder (ED) pathology in individuals experiencing food insecurity.
- To examine the correlation between the level of food insecurity and factors such as dietary restraint, weight self-stigma, and worry.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 503 participants seeking food assistance from food pantries.
- Data collection via questionnaires assessing food insecurity, demographics, ED pathology, dietary restraint, weight self-stigma, and worry.
Main Results:
- Participants with the highest food insecurity levels reported significantly higher rates of binge eating, overall ED pathology, dietary restraint, weight self-stigma, and worry.
- Compensatory behaviors also increased with worsening food insecurity.
- 17% of participants in the child hunger group exhibited clinically significant ED pathology.
Conclusions:
- This research is the first to explore the full spectrum of ED pathology within a food-insecure, low-income population.
- Findings underscore the critical association between food insecurity and ED pathology.
- Global research attention is needed to address the link between food insecurity and eating disorders.
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