Eating disorders and maladaptive eating behaviors in college students experiencing food insecurity: a scoping review

Abstract

The increasing risk of eating disorders (EDs) in college students experiencing food insecurity (FI) reflects a developing public health crisis. The purpose of this scoping review was to characterize the broad body of emerging research on EDs and maladaptive eating behaviors in college students experiencing FI; identify gaps and inform future research. In sum, this research provides novel evidence of gender differences in both FI severity and internalizing symptoms impacting ED risk. Contradictory evidence on bulimic- and restrictive-spectrum disorders, possibly due to nuances between subjective vs. objective binges, and cognitive restriction (to control weight) vs. other reason restraint, requires further analysis.