Food insecurity, COVID-19, and eating disorders

In this study, participants with the highest level of food insecurity experienced: higher levels of binge eating (uncontrollable eating) a higher likelihood of having any type of eating disorder, such as anorexia or bulimia dietary restraint for any reason, for example, avoiding a food group, such as carbohydrates, or types of foods, such as desserts weight self-stigma, assessed through responses to a questionnaire that measured self-devaluation and fear of experiencing stigma (sample statement: “I would never have any problems with weight if I were stronger”) high levels of worry, also measured through responses to a questionnaire (sample statement: “My worries overwhelm me”). A 2020 study in Eating Disorders points to high levels of dietary restraint in racially and ethnically diverse, low-income urban populations. The primary reasons people reported holding back on eating were: minimizing the effect of hunger on children and other family members stretching food by eating less to make it last longer prioritizing medical expenses over food. Stretching the limits of food banks Unfortunately, in the wake of COVID-19, unemployment rates are higher than those at the peak of the Great Depression. With this rise in unemployment, consistent access to nutritious food is elusive for many people. Food banks throughout the country are seeing higher rates of attendance than ever before. As a woman who was raised serving as a worker in the food bank at my home church in Atlan...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Coronavirus and COVID-19 Health Health care disparities Nutrition Source Type: blogs