Food Security And Eating Disorder Risk Across Historically Black College And University Physically Active Students

Food insecurity (FI) has been linked to poor health outcomes and decreased physical and mental health in students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). However, the association between FI and eating disorder (ED) risk has not been explored in this community. PURPOSE: To examine the prevalence of FI and ED risk across HBCU physically active (PA) students and the association between food security (FS) status and ED risk. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. HBCU PA students (n = 244, age: range = 18-26 years; females: 57.8%, n = 141; males: 42.2%, n = 103) completed the U.S. Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security Survey Module, the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and questions about pathogenic behaviors. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, Chi-square, and logistic regression determined scores, risk, and differences between FS status and ED risk across sex. RESULTS: Overall, 51.6% (n = 126; females: 46.8%, n = 66/141; males: 58.3%, n = 60/103) of participants were food insecure (low FS: 21.3%, n = 52; very low FS: 30.3%, n = 74) with no significant differences across sex (χ2(3,244) = 7.610, p = 0.055). Combined ED risk (EAT-26 and/or pathogenic behavior risk) was found in 37.7% (n = 92, females: n = 53, males: n = 39) of PA students with no significant differences across sex (χ2(1,244) = 0.002, p = 0.973). Table 1 depicts EAT-26 total and subscale scores and frequency of pathogenic behavior use, significant differences were seen in excessive exercise (χ2(1,244) = 5.319, p = 0.021) and sex. The odds of having ED risk for food insecure students were 3.9 times higher compared to their food secure counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: FI and ED risk are prevalent among PA HBCU students, with FI increasing the odds of ED risk. Academic administrators should implement multifaceted approaches to address FI, including increased resource access, financial and housing support, education outreach, and community collaboration to prevent ED risk. - Table 1: Eating Attitudes and Behaviors Scores and Pathogenic Behaviors Presented as mean and standard deviation across sex and percentages and frequencies. EAT-26 All (n = 119) Female(n = 71) Male(n = 48) P-value Total EAT-26 Score* 8.8 ± 8.6 9.7 ± 9.6 7.6 ± 6.8 0.054 Diet Subscale Score 4.7 ± 5.9 5.3 ± 6.6 3.8 ± 4.7 0.051 Bulimia Subscale Score 1.7 ± 2.3 1.8 ± 2.5 1.5 ± 1.8 0.297 Oral Control Subscale Score 2.4 ± 2.6 2.6 ± 2.8 2.2 ± 2.3 0.288 Pathogenic Behaviors Binge Eating 12.7 (31) 7.4 (18) 5.3 (13) 0.973 Self-Induced Vomiting 8.2 (20) 4.9 (12) 3.3 (8) 0.834 Use of Diet Pills, Laxatives, or Diuretics 12.7 (31) 8.2 (20) 4.5 (11) 0.417 Excessive Exercise 11.9 (29) 4.5 (11) 7.4 (18) 0.021 Lost 20 lbs. or more in less than 6 months 15.2 (37) 9.0 (22) 6.1 (15) 0.823 *Total scores greater than 20 points indicated eating disorder risk