Food Insecurity Predicts Excessive Exercise, Dietary Restriction, Cognitive Restraint, and Purging, but Not Binge Eating, in College Students Across 3 Months.

Objectives: College students are at elevated risk for both food insecurity and eating disorder (ED) symptoms. Prior literature supports cross-sectional associations between food insecurity and ED symptoms, including binge eating, purging (e.g., diuretic and laxative misuse, self-induced vomiting), and dietary restriction. However, less is known about the temporal relation, particularly among college students.

Methods: We tested associations between food insecurity and cognitive restraint, binge eating, dietary restriction, purging, and excessive exercise across one college semester (three months). College students [N = 259; mean (SD) age = 19.22 (1.23)] were recruited to complete the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory (EPSI) and the 30-day version of the United States Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security Survey Module in August (baseline) and November (follow-up). We conducted five multiple regression models to examine baseline food insecurity as a predictor of each EPSI subscale score of interest, adjusting for baseline EPSI score, sociodemographic characteristics, and body mass index.

Results: Baseline food insecurity significantly predicted greater cognitive restraint (β = 0.12, p < 0.05), dietary restriction (β = 0.18, p < 0.001), excessive exercise (β = 0.15, p < 0.01), and purging (β = 0.14, p < 0.05) at follow-up, adjusting for baseline levels, sociodemographic characteristics, and body mass index. Baseline food insecurity did not predict binge eating at follow-up when the baseline level, body mass index, and sociodemographic characteristics were considered.

Discussion: Experiencing food insecurity may contribute to the development or exacerbation of excessive exercise, dietary restriction, cognitive restraint, and purging among college students. Findings highlight the potential need for food insecurity interventions to include support for disordered eating.