Scarcity, Shame, and Survival: How Food Insecurity and Eating Disorders Intersect

The rising cost of living continues to strain many families, and recent interruptions to SNAP and other food assistance programs during the temporary government shutdown have added new stress for those already struggling to make ends meet. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2023, about 13.5 percent of U.S. households, or roughly 47 million people, including 7.2 million children, experienced food insecurity. This increase from the previous year shows how quickly families can face hardship when basic resources become uncertain (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, 2025).

Food insecurity is often seen as a financial issue, but it also affects emotional and physical well-being. The stress of not knowing when or how you will eat next can change the way people think about food, how they eat, and how they feel in their bodies.

When Food Feels Unsafe

When food is unreliable, the body automatically moves into survival mode. Hunger hormones increase, cravings grow stronger, and thoughts about food take over. This is a biological response, not a lack of discipline. When food becomes available again, many people eat quickly or eat more than they intended. What might look like bingeing is the body’s way of making up for deprivation (Hazzard et al., 2020).

For others, scarcity leads to the opposite pattern. They become hyper-focused on conserving food, skip meals to make groceries last longer, or feel guilty for eating when others might go without. Over time, this vigilance can turn into rigid rules or anxiety about eating. Behaviors that start as survival can evolve into eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, bulimia, or anorexia (Becker et al., 2017).

Both patterns, whether eating more or holding back, come from the same place — the body’s effort to feel safe in the face of uncertainty. Food insecurity disrupts trust in hunger and fullness signals and replaces that trust with fear, guilt, and shame.

The Military Connection

In military and veteran families, food insecurity often hides behind strength and self-reliance. Frequent relocations, high housing costs near bases, and challenges accessing assistance programs all contribute to instability. Research shows that nearly one in four active-duty military households experience food insecurity (Rabbitt & Beymer, 2024).

At the same time, strict fitness and weight standards can make eating disorders more likely. Service members may restrict to meet requirements, binge afterward, or feel deep shame about their bodies. When financial strain or inconsistent access to food is added to this pressure, food can become both a source of comfort and a means of control. These patterns can continue long after service ends.

From Survival to Stability

Healing begins when safety and consistency return. That means reliable access to food and compassionate support for those whose eating patterns have been shaped by scarcity. Recovery is not about willpower. It is about rebuilding trust in the body, in hunger, and in the right to be nourished.

If you or someone you know is facing both food insecurity and an eating disorder, you are not alone. Sea Waves is committed to raising awareness and connecting military families and veterans with resources that support both physical and emotional health.

This November, Sea Waves is launching the Waves of Hope & Healing Campaign to shine a light on the intersection of food insecurity, eating disorders, and military readiness.

When you mage a donation, 75 percent of all proceeds will go directly to an organization providing food assistance to military families in need. The remaining proceeds will support Sea Waves programs that promote education, advocacy, and awareness of eating disorders within the military community.

Join the movement. Be the light. Learn more: https://givebutter.com/wavesofhopeandhealing

Together, we can turn empathy into impact, ensuring every military family has access to nourishment, stability, and hope.

References

Becker, C. B., Middlemass, K., Taylor, B., Johnson, C., & Graham, A. L. (2017). Food insecurity and eating disorder pathology. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 50(9), 1031–1040. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22728

Hazzard, V. M., Loth, K. A., Hooper, L., & Becker, C. B. (2020). Food insecurity and eating disorders: A review of emerging evidence. Current Psychiatry Reports, 22(12), 74. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-020-01200-0

Rabbitt, M. P., & Beymer, M. R. (2024). Comparing food insecurity among the U.S. military and civilian adult populations (ERR-331). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. https://doi.org/10.32747/2024.8374828.ers

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2025, January 8). Food security in the U.S.: Key statistics and graphics. Retrieved February 2025, from https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/key-statistics-graphics

Written by Carolyn Karoll, LCSW-C, CEDS-C, in partnership with Sea Waves.