Research has found that food insecure populations have higher rates of individuals being diagnosed with clincially significant eating disorders (e.g., binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa). Particularly, children who are living in food insecure areas have reported having higher rates of clinically significant eating disorders than any other age group. 

Clinically Significant Eating Disorders in Food Insecure Populations 

Objective binge eating is when an individual consumes an excessive amount of calories in one setting. Recent research has revealed that food insecure populations have elevated rates of objective binge eating, particularly in children, which can explained by the extreme dietary restriction they may face. 

Objective Binge Eating in Food Insecure Populations 

Subjective binge eating is when individuals perceive themselves as extreme binge eaters, but don't actually eat extreme amounts of food during their binges; instead, they eat relatively small or moderate amounts of food (subjective binge eaters suffer from their condition just as much as objective binge eaters). According to research, food insecure groups  engage in subjective binge eating at a higher rate than non-food insecure populations, particularly children. 

Subjective Binge Eating in Food Insecure Populations 

Night eating is when an individual will consume a large amount of food after waking from sleep with distress. Food insecure populations report having higher rates of night eating, which can be due to working long hours, shift work, greater likelihood of having a medical illness that affects sleep quality, or the effect of antidepressant medications on hunger and satiety. 

Night Eating in Food Insecure Populations 

Compensatory behaviors such as self-induced vomiting, laxative use, skipping meals, and excessive exercising, is prevalent in food insecure populations. These behaviors are typically done in order to prevent weight gain and reduce discomfort from binge eating. 

Compensatory Behaviors in Food Insecure Populations 

Research has shown that many individuals who are living in food insecure areas have weight and shape concerns due to weight stigma (i.e., societally-held judgement, biases, and prejudice predetermined by weight and body shape). 

Weight/Shape Concerns in Food Insecure Populations 

Research has found that food insecure populations may show elevated rates of:
- Clinically significant eating disorders
- Objective binge eating
- Subjective binge eating
- Night eating
- Compensatory behaviors (e.g., vomiting, laxatives/water pills, skipping meals, excessive exercising)
- Weight/shape concerns 

University of Illinois at Chicago

In a study investigating associations between eating disorder pathology and those with food insecurity, majority of individuals who were food insecure displayed significantly higher levels of binge eating, overall eating disorder pathology, dietary restraint, weight self-stigma, and worry compared to individuals with lower levels of food insecurity. 

Eating Disorder Pathology in Food Insecure Populations 

Becker, C. B., Middlemass, K., Taylor, B., Johnson, C., & Gomez, F. (2017). Food insecurity and eating disorder pathology. International Journal of eating disorders, 50(9), 1031-1040.

Food insecurity and eating disorder pathology

Individuals with food insecurity often live in urban environments that are either food deserts or food swamps. Food deserts are defined as census tracts in which the population is both low income and lacks access to affordable/nutritious food. Contrarily, food swamps are urban areas dominated by inexpensive food retailers (e.g., fast food) selling highly palatable food (i.e., highly processed foods, high in sugar, salt, and fat) as opposed to healthy nutrient dense foods. 

Food Deserts vs. Food Swamps 

Eating Disorders and Eating Disorder Symptoms in Food Insecure Populations 

Existing hypotheses suggests a direct relationship between food insecurity and disordered eating, due to the cognitive effects of food restriction and/or the food choices and eating behaviors associated with food insecurity. People with FI often rely on inexpensive, energy-dense, processed foods that are highly palatable, which can itself be a trigger for food cravings and disrupt the hormonal control of appetite regulation. Some people with FI report misjudging the amount of food needed early in the month and experiencing scarcity while waiting for their next benefit period

Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Disordered Eating 

The relationship between food insecurity and disordered eating might be mediated by a third variable, such as symptoms of depression.This mediation hypothesis implies that FI causes or exacerbates depressive symptoms, which in turn cause or exacerbate disordered eating symptoms. Additionally, longitudinal evidence also supports a causal relationship between depression and dysregulated eating behaviors.

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