Eating disorders

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can lead to severe medical complications. In recent years, the number of people diagnosed with these conditions in the UK has increased, along with hospital admissions. Understanding these issues is crucial, with food insecurity—the struggle to access enough food—emerging as an important factor.

In 2022/23, 7.2 million people in the UK (about one in ten) experienced food insecurity. Research suggests that individuals facing food insecurity are more likely to experience eating disorder symptoms, such as binge eating, skipping meals, and extreme concerns about weight and body shape. However, most studies on this issue come from the USA, highlighting the need for UK-based research to better understand the problem in this context.

Dr Fidan Turk from the University of Exeter and her team will analyse UK datasets to examine the association between food insecurity and eating disorder symptoms among young people and adults. By understanding this association, the team aims to improve healthcare support, inform policy changes, and develop better strategies to help those affected by both food insecurity and eating disorders.