Food Insecurity Predicts Excessive Exercise, Dietary Restriction, Cognitive Restraint, and Purging, but Not Binge...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Public Health
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• College students face heightened risks for food insecurity and eating disorder (ED) symptoms.
• Previous research indicates a link between food insecurity and ED symptoms such as binge eating, purging, and dietary restriction.
• The temporal relationship between food insecurity and ED symptoms in this population requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the longitudinal associations between food insecurity and specific eating disorder symptoms among college students.
• To determine if baseline food insecurity predicts the development or worsening of ED symptoms over a three-month period.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 259 college students completed surveys on food security and eating pathology symptoms at baseline and after three months.
• Multiple regression models were used to assess the predictive relationship between baseline food insecurity and follow-up eating disorder symptom scores.
• Analyses controlled for baseline eating disorder symptoms, sociodemographic factors, and body mass index.

Main Results:

• Baseline food insecurity significantly predicted increased cognitive restraint, dietary restriction, excessive exercise, and purging at follow-up.
• Food insecurity did not predict binge eating at follow-up after accounting for baseline levels and covariates.
• These findings suggest a temporal link between food insecurity and specific disordered eating behaviors.

Conclusions:

• Food insecurity may contribute to the onset or worsening of excessive exercise, dietary restriction, cognitive restraint, and purging in college students.
• Interventions targeting food insecurity in college settings should consider incorporating support for disordered eating.
• Addressing food insecurity is crucial for mitigating risks associated with eating disorders in this vulnerable population.