The Additive Psychosocial Effects of Binge Eating and Food Insecurity Among Midlife and Older Women

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Evidence suggests that food insecurity (FI) is a risk factor for eating disorder (ED) symptoms, especially binge eating (BE), yet research focusing on the psychosocial effects among midlife/older women is lacking. Midlife/older women living with FI experience intersectional disadvantage, thus highlighting the need for an independent investigation of the cultural and contextual factors of this population. The current study examined the difference in psychological health and quality of life (QOL) among women living with BE and FI (BE + FI) versus FI without BE. Method: Female clients of a food bank, aged 50+ (N = 295; M age = 62.1 years, SD = 8.2) living with FI completed measures of BE and psychosocial comorbidities. The measures were provided in English and Spanish. Results: A multivariate analysis of covariance compared women living with BE and FI (BE + FI) versus FI without BE on outcomes related to mental health and wellbeing. Covarying for age, FI severity, and ethnicity, the results indicated that women living with BE + FI reported worsened anxiety, depression, ED-related psychosocial impairment, internalized weight stigma, and QOL versus women living with FI without BE (all ps < 0.001). Effect sizes ranged from small to medium to large. Conclusions: Midlife/older women living with BE + FI report poorer psychological health and QOL than those living with FI without BE, demonstrating a critical need for mental healthcare in this population. Innovative solutions—and likely a portfolio of interventional approaches with various entry points and delivery modalities—are warranted, if we are to make significant strides in addressing ED symptoms in this population.