Adolescents who are between the ages of 12 and 26, who experience body dissatisfaction are the most at-risk for eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, among many others. Additionally, several studies have found there could be a link between food insecurity and the onset of an eating disorder. Treatment for an eating disorder involves a multidisciplinary approach including services from a physician, dietitian, nurse, psychologist or psychiatrist, as well as involvement and support from parents and siblings. However, what support and resources are available to college students who may be living with food insecurity or eating disorders or both?
According to the book, Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder, written by James Lock and Daniel LeGrange, parents are advised to be active in their child's recovery, and should make changing disordered eating a priority. This means being available during meal times to reassure their struggling teenager, and possibly take time off from work. Additionally, the authors recommend that parents attempt to support their child's positive and supportive friendships and limit the influence the media has on their values in terms of weight and appearance. While this is possible and essential for parents of high school-age children, the role of the parent and support offered the individual affected by an eating disorder could change in a college setting, as the student will have more independence.
As a link between food insecurity and eating disorders potentially exists, and approximately 48 percent of the 3,765 participants in the "Hunger on Campus" study reported food insecurity. Additionally, the National Eating Disorder Association found that approximately 20 to 21 percent of 18 to 21 year old will progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders. If students in this age group are more prone to developing an eating disorder due to media and academic pressures, would students experiencing food insecurity become even more likely to develop an eating disorder?
According to a 2017 study conducted by Melissa Munn-Chernoff, individuals experiencing hunger insecurity were more likely to exhibit symptoms of eating disorders, such as binge eating, overeating, vomiting, laxative use, skipping at least two meals, exercising more and being concerned with weight and shape.
A 2018 study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Health Sciences found college-aged students were more susceptible to experiencing stress related to food insecurity, which could lead to unproductive eating habits. While stress has been found to relate to eating disorders, it is unknown whether the onset of eating disorders among college students can be attributed in part to food insecurity. However, psycho-developmental factors such as life transitions, sociocultural factors such as peers, media and lifestyle, and neurochemical or genetic factors such as brain chemistries or DNA, are all contributors to the onset of an eating disorder. Stress from a life transition, such as moving into a dorm or apartment, and struggling to afford food, as well as other factors could contribute to eating disorders among college students.
Even with a meal plan, students still experienced food insecurity, reported the "Hunger on Campus" study. Without necessary on and off-campus resources to address food insecurity, and symptoms of an eating disorder, and a requisite support system, students may find recovery more challenging, requiring that they take a semester off, or transfer to a school closer to home.
