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Food insecurity associated with elevated eating disorder symptoms, impairment, and eating disorder diagnoses in an American University student sample before and during the beginning of the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Christensen Kara A.,
Forbush Kelsie T.,
Richson Brianne N.,
Thomeczek Marianna L.,
Perko Victoria L.,
Bjorlie Kayla,
Christian Kylie,
Ayres Joseph,
Wildes Jennifer E.,
Mildrum Chana Sofia
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.23517
Subject(s) - eating disorders , bulimia nervosa , psychology , psychiatry , psychopathology , clinical psychology , binge eating , multivariate analysis of variance , food insecurity , disordered eating , pandemic , covid-19 , medicine , food security , disease , ecology , pathology , machine learning , computer science , infectious disease (medical specialty) , biology , agriculture
Abstract Objective This study tested the association between food insecurity and eating disorder (ED) pathology, including probable ED diagnosis, among two cohorts of university students before and during the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Method Students ( n = 579) from a large Midwestern American university completed self‐report questionnaires assessing frequency of ED behaviors, ED‐related impairment, and individual food insecurity as measured by the Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale 5, Clinical Impairment Assessment, and Radimer/Cornell, respectively. Chi‐square tests and MANOVA with post‐hoc corrections were conducted to compare demographic characteristics, ED pathology, and probable ED diagnosis prevalence between students with and without individual food insecurity. Results Partially supporting hypotheses, MANOVA indicated significantly greater frequency of objective binge eating, compensatory fasting, and ED‐related impairment for students with food insecurity compared with individuals without food insecurity. Chi‐squared tests showed higher prevalence of ED diagnoses among individuals with food insecurity compared with those without food security (47.6 vs. 31.1%, respectively, p < .01, NNT = 6.06), specifically bulimia nervosa and other specified feeding and eating disorder. There were no differences in food insecurity before or during the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Discussion Consistent with prior literature, food insecurity was associated with elevated ED psychopathology in this sample. Findings emphasize the importance of proper ED screening for college students vulnerable to food insecurity and EDs.