Young adults experiencing food insecurity have been found to engage in behaviors that compromise health and safety, such as exchanging sex for food, stealing, and scavenging in dumpsters for food. Contracting an infection, disease, or facing jail time for such actions are potential consequences.

Risk Behaviors Among Young Adults Experiencing Food Insecurity

Biologically, stress results in an increase in cortisol levels, which is thought to promote hunger through an increase in the amount of insulin, leptin, and neuropeptide. Furthermore, eating may reduce the physiological stress response, thus acting as a negative feedback loop in the presence of stress and worsened under increased stress, resulting in excess calorie consumption.

Stress Response in Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness and Food Insecurity

Negative developmental effects related to hunger have been documented in young adult populations, including impact on levels of self-control, inattentiveness, and task persistence. These can contribute to poor socialization. Population-level studies have also found associations between chronic hunger and psychiatric morbidities, and up to 98% of young adults experiencing homelessness meet criteria for a mental health disorder.

Effects of Food Insecurity on Mental Health of Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness

Food insecurity in young adults under 30 who experience homelessness is as high as 85%. Food insecurity also persists even after exiting homelessness through programming such as permanent supportive housing.

Cleveland State University

Health Psychology research studies relating to food insecurity include

- Food Insecurity, Associated Health Behaviors, and
Academic Performance Among Urban University
Undergraduate Students
-  Food Insecurity, Hunger, Stress, and Homelessness Among Young Adults
- Eating Disorder Pathology in Food Insecure Populations 

Health Psychology Research Relating to Food Insecurity

Dzubur, E., Semborski, S., Redline, B., Hedeker, D., Dunton, G. F., &amp; Henwood, B. F. (2022). Food insecurity, hunger, stress, and homelessness among young adults. Health Psychology, 41(8), 559–565. https://doi.org/10.1037/hea0001214 

Food Insecurity, Hunger, Stress, and Homelessness Among Young Adults

An estimated 41% of undergraduate college students report being food insecure, a much higher rate compared to a reported 11% of US households.

Prevalence of Food Insecurity Among Undergraduate Students

Food Insecurity Prevalence in Young Adults Who Experience Homelessness

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. 

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