Food Insecurity and Binge Eating: Exploring Reward-Based Eating, Psychological Distress, and Diet Quality as Underlying Mechanisms

Background: Food insecurity is a risk factor for binge eating behaviours and related disorders; however, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study examined reward-based eating, psychological distress, and diet quality as potential mechanisms underscoring this association. Methods: Participants (N = 176) completed self-reports measuring reward-based eating (Reward-Based Eating Drive scale), distress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress scale), and diet (Australian Eating Survey), alongside a well-validated food insecurity survey, as part of a broader biopsychosocial assessment study. Parallel mediation analysis was utilised to explore the candidate variables as potential mediators between food insecurity and binge eating indicated by the Binge Eating Scale. Results: Food insecurity independently predicted binge eating behaviours, in association with the mediating variables. Reward-based eating and psychological distress were statistically significant mediators, but diet quality was not. Conclusions: Food insecurity is associated with binge eating through both reward drive and distress. Future research should investigate how both social and psychological interventions may leverage these mechanisms to overcoming binge eating.