Eating Disorders Awareness Week Blog post: Food Insecurity in Eating Disorders

Food insecurity occurs when an individual or household has limited or uncertain access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food. Food insecurity can arise from economic hardship as well as broader social and structural inequalities. Research conducted by the Food Foundation in a June 2025 survey indicates that almost six million adults in the UK (approximately 11.3% of households) experienced food insecurity. Our work in EDIFY has shown that clinicians see food insecurity as a rising problem (Kuehne et al., 2024). A parallel survey on people with lived experience of an eating disorder provided rich qualitative data which highlighted how food insecurity for some, was a precursor to developing their eating disorder and for others led their symptoms to worsen or restart (Bryson et al., submitted).  Finally, longitudinal findings from the ALSPAC cohort indicate that both time-limited and persistent food insecurity in childhood are associated with increased odds of disordered eating during adolescence (Trompeter et al., 2025). One explanation is that early experiences of deprivation may shape enduring psychological and behavioural responses to food scarcity and relative food abundance, which may persist into adulthood and increase vulnerability to pathological eating behaviours (Olson, Bove, & Miller, 2007). Animal models support this explanation (Treasure and Eid, 2019).

In adult populations, food insecurity is consistently associated with higher levels of binge eating, compensatory behaviours, and an increased likelihood of binge-eating disorder and bulimia nervosa diagnoses. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain these associations. Cyclical patterns of scarcity and relative abundance may promote “feast–famine” eating patterns that precipitate binge episodes. In addition, dietary restraint driven by limited access to resources, rather than weight or shape concerns, may produce similar effects to intentional dieting, including preoccupation with food and binge eating. Furthermore, the chronic stress, stigma, and structural marginalisation that often accompany food insecurity may intensify emotional eating (Hazzard, Loth, Hooper, & Becker, 2020).  Overall, adapted approaches to eating disorder treatment for those living in food insecurity is imperative to address these unique risk and maintenance factors.

Lived experience quotes from Bryon et al., submitted;

“I grew up poor and was always aware that any food I ate was directly affecting my parents by costing them money which increased the levels of guilt I felt around eating. I believe it to be a contributing factor to developing an eating disorder as a child.”

 “I feel like I'm using the food insecurity to justify my symptoms as I tell myself that I'm not eating to save money on food”

“Being bulimic, I have often spent a lot of money on my binges, at the risk of not being able to pay rent. I have had to take multiple jobs in order to afford food for my binges"