(PS8-B38) Examination of Internalized Shame as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Food Insecurity and Disordered Eating

Background: An emerging but limited literature has found associations between food insecurity and disordered eating behaviors. Thus, the first objective of this study was to replicate that food insecurity is associated with disordered eating symptoms including loss of control over eating. Second objective was to expand the existing literature by examining stigma control theory, which purports that experiences related to food insecurity potentially induce stigma-related shame which in turn contribute to disordered eating behaviors. The final objective was to explore if emotion coping strategies influence associations between shame and disordered eating. 

Method: This is a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional study of 582 adults experiencing food insecurity. Participants completed a 20-minute online survey. Analyses consisted of hierarchical regressions examining the relationship between food insecurity and disordered eating. Main and indirect effects of shame and emotion focused coping were examined on disordered eating behaviors as well.

Results: Analyses suggest that a) internalized shame partially mediates the relationship between food insecurity and disordered eating, b) internalized shame did not mediate the relationship between food insecurity and loss of control over eating, c) emotion focused coping did not moderate any relationship. 

Discussion: Internalized shame may be one mechanism in which disordered symptoms arise in food insecure populations. Results indicate that coping strategies alone may not reduce eating disorder symptoms in adults experience food insecurity; however internalized shame seems to be an important variable in the relationship.