Hazzard VM, Hooper L, Larson N, et al. - Longitudinal research examining the differences in the cross-sectional association between food insecurity (FI) and disordered eating among individuals by age.

• A total of 1,813 participants in the Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) cohort study yielded three waves of prospective data.

• Data collection was performed at 5-year intervals; the baseline survey was conducted in 1998–1999 (EAT-I; Mage = 14.9 years) and follow-up surveys in 2003–2004 (EAT-II; Mage = 19.5 years) and 2008–2009 (EAT-III; Mage = 24.9 years).

• Cross-sectionally, prevalence of disordered eating appeared higher in significant correlation with presence of severe food insecurity (FI).

• There appeared strongest associations for extreme weight-control behaviors and binge eating.

• Effect modification by age suggested that cross-sectional association between severe FI and unhealthy weight-control behaviors was stronger among younger participants.

• Considering the longitudinal results, severe FI is suggested to be a risk factor for binge eating.