Military Sexual Trauma and Eating Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Military sexual trauma (MST) poses a significant public health concern within military populations, with enduring health consequences including the development of eating disorders (EDs). This review synthesizes existing literature to explore the association between MST and EDs among U.S. military populations. A systematic search of electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO was conducted. Inclusion criteria included observational studies published in peer-reviewed journals, conducted within U.S. military samples, and examining the relationship between MST and EDs among primarily adult populations. Studies were assessed for quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and quantitative synthesis was performed using a random effects model. No studies were found among active-duty service members. Seven studies using Veteran samples met the inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 3,377,396 participants. Veterans who experienced MST had 2.42 times the odds of EDs or symptoms compared to those without MST history (OR = 2.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) [2.04, 2.87]). Notably, all included studies were conducted using data prior to 2012 (2002-2012) calling for updated research reflecting the changes in diagnostic criteria for EDs with the DSM-V. This review highlights the need for research on MST and EDs in active-duty populations, and targeted interventions to address the increased risk of EDs among Veterans with a history of MST.