It’s not just a matter of wealth: rising food insecurity is affecting the mental health of youth and adolescents. New data from the United Kingdom indicate that symptoms of eating disorders are more common among those who grew up in families with limited financial means. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can sometimes threaten life, and globally they affect around 10% of the world’s population.
In the United States, one in five children lives in a household with food insecurity. With rising food prices and cuts to food assistance programs for families with children, hunger is expected to rise further and the risks of eating disorders among low-income children are likely to increase.
What is particularly alarming is that these children are the least likely to have access to appropriate treatment for eating disorders. This is a major public health issue that schools, families, pediatricians, and government leaders need to consider.
“Calorie deficits create a constant state of ‘fight or flight,’ which can increase levels of stress hormones, and this can lead to ‘all-or-nothing’ thinking and other cognitive difficulties,”
Hunger affects how children relate to food and their bodies: it can teach them to ignore hunger signals and reduce feelings of fullness, which is often observed in various eating disorders.
“First, it can teach children to ignore hunger cues; second, it can suppress signals of fullness,”
Even when food is available, some children do not receive enough nutrition due to stigma or financial constraints. Such factors can lead to troubling outcomes for development, mood and learning.
If you or someone close is dealing with an eating disorder, there are free resources and support available. Look for local food banks, food assistance programs, and budget-conscious meal-planning guidance.
How Food Insecurity Affects Eating Behavior and Access to Help
Changes in access to food can foster unhealthy habits: from ignoring hunger signals to excessive fear of food scarcity and revisiting one’s own body. It is important that educational institutions and families are ready to notice signs of eating disorders and seek help promptly.
Support for Families and Children: Where to Turn for Help
Stigma and financial constraints often hinder help-seeking. Support can be sought through local social services, nutrition counseling, and conversations with medical professionals. It is important to build a safe, open environment at home and in educational settings where children feel comfortable talking about their fears and needs regarding nutrition and health.
If you or someone you know needs help, consult with professionals or local support services. Such steps can help reduce the burden of hunger, lower the risks of eating disorders, and support more stable child development.
March is National Nutrition Month, Sleep Month and Daylight Savings Time begins, plus EPI-Lifestyle 2026 and more…
Healthy eating after 45 may add years to your life, study finds
Do You Have a Healthy Relationship With Food?