A new study looked at 405 U.S. veterans to understand how not having enough food affects eating habits. Researchers found that veterans who struggle to afford food are much more likely to have unhealthy eating patterns, like binge eating, purging, and eating at night. The study shows these problems are especially common in male veterans. This research is important because it helps doctors and counselors understand that veterans dealing with food shortages often need help with eating behaviors too. The findings suggest that healthcare providers should screen for both food insecurity and eating problems when treating veterans.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether veterans who don’t have reliable access to enough food are more likely to develop unhealthy eating behaviors like binge eating, purging, strict dieting, and nighttime eating.
  • Who participated: 405 U.S. veterans from across the country who completed an online survey. The group included people of different ages, races, ethnicities, genders, education levels, and employment situations.
  • Key finding: Veterans without food security reported twice as many binge eating episodes, nearly four times as many purging episodes, about 33% more restrictive eating, and worse nighttime eating compared to veterans with food security. These patterns were especially strong in male veterans.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a veteran struggling to afford food, you may be at higher risk for developing unhealthy eating patterns. This research suggests that doctors and counselors should ask about both food access and eating behaviors when helping veterans. However, this study shows a connection but doesn’t prove that food insecurity causes eating problems—more research is needed to understand the exact relationship.

The Research Details

Researchers invited 405 U.S. veterans to complete an online survey asking about their food security (whether they had enough money for food) and their eating behaviors. The survey included questions about binge eating (eating large amounts quickly), purging (throwing up or using laxatives), restrictive eating (limiting food intake), and night eating (eating large amounts at night). The researchers then used statistical analysis to compare eating behaviors between veterans with and without food security, while accounting for other factors like age, race, gender, education, and job status that might affect the results.

This type of study is called ‘cross-sectional,’ which means researchers collected all the information at one point in time, like taking a snapshot. This approach is useful for identifying patterns and connections between two issues, but it can’t prove that one thing causes the other.

The study was published in the journal Appetite, which focuses on research about eating behaviors and food-related issues.

This research matters because U.S. veterans face unique challenges with both food insecurity and eating disorders. By studying these issues together in veterans specifically, researchers can better understand how these problems connect and develop better screening tools and treatments. The cross-sectional design allows researchers to identify which veterans might need help with both issues at the same time.

Strengths of this study include a reasonably large sample size (405 veterans) and the use of statistical methods that controlled for other factors that might influence results. The study also looked at gender differences, which adds depth. However, because this is a cross-sectional study, it shows associations but cannot prove cause-and-effect. The study relied on self-reported information, which means veterans answered questions about their own experiences—this is generally reliable but can sometimes be affected by memory or willingness to share sensitive information. The researchers acknowledge these limitations and call for future studies to clarify whether food insecurity actually causes eating problems or if other factors are involved.

What the Results Show

Veterans without food security reported significantly more eating problems than those with food security. Specifically, food-insecure veterans reported twice as many binge eating episodes (eating large amounts of food in a short time), nearly four times as many purging episodes (throwing up or using laxatives to control weight), and about 33% more restrictive eating (limiting food intake). They also showed mildly-to-moderately worse symptoms of night eating (eating large amounts during nighttime hours).

When researchers looked at the data separately for men and women, they found that the connections between food insecurity and eating problems appeared stronger in male veterans than female veterans. This was especially true for purging and night eating behaviors. This gender difference suggests that food insecurity may affect men and women’s eating behaviors differently, though more research is needed to understand why.

The researchers adjusted their analysis to account for other factors that might influence eating behaviors, such as age, race, ethnicity, gender, education level, and employment status. Even after accounting for these factors, the strong connection between food insecurity and eating problems remained.

The study found that the relationship between food insecurity and eating problems was not the same for all types of eating behaviors. While binge eating and purging showed very strong connections to food insecurity, restrictive eating showed a more modest connection. Night eating fell somewhere in between. The gender differences were particularly notable for purging and night eating, suggesting these behaviors may be especially concerning in male veterans with food insecurity.

Previous research in non-veteran populations has already shown that food insecurity is linked to disordered eating. This study is important because it confirms that this connection also exists in U.S. veterans and suggests it may be even more pronounced in this population. The finding that gender differences exist in how food insecurity affects eating behaviors adds new information that wasn’t well-studied in veterans before.

This study has several important limitations. First, because it’s cross-sectional (a snapshot in time), researchers cannot determine whether food insecurity causes eating problems, whether eating problems lead to food insecurity, or whether both are caused by something else entirely. Second, the study relied on veterans to self-report their experiences, which could be affected by memory, embarrassment, or other factors. Third, the sample was recruited online, which means it may not perfectly represent all U.S. veterans—for example, veterans without internet access or those less comfortable with online surveys weren’t included. Finally, the study was published in December 2025, so long-term follow-up data isn’t yet available. The researchers themselves acknowledge these limitations and call for future studies using different research designs to clarify the cause-and-effect relationship.

The Bottom Line

Healthcare providers who work with veterans should screen for both food insecurity and eating problems, as they often occur together. Veterans who struggle to afford food should be aware that they may be at higher risk for developing unhealthy eating patterns and should seek help if they notice changes in their eating habits. If you’re a veteran experiencing food insecurity, talking to your doctor or a counselor about both your food access and eating behaviors is important. These recommendations are based on moderate evidence from this single study, so they should be considered alongside other research and individual circumstances.

This research is most relevant to U.S. veterans, especially those experiencing food insecurity. It’s also important for healthcare providers, counselors, and social workers who serve veterans. Veterans’ organizations and government agencies that provide support to veterans should pay attention to these findings. The research is less directly applicable to non-veteran populations, though it may provide insights into how food insecurity affects eating behaviors more broadly. If you’re a veteran without food security concerns, this research is less immediately relevant to you, but it may help you understand challenges that other veterans face.

If you’re a veteran with food insecurity and unhealthy eating patterns, improvements may take time. Getting help with food access (through programs like SNAP or veteran-specific food assistance) and working with a counselor on eating behaviors could show benefits over weeks to months, but lasting change typically requires ongoing support. There’s no quick fix, but addressing both issues together appears to be important.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily food security concerns (yes/no) alongside eating episodes. Specifically, log: (1) any binge eating episodes with time of day, (2) any purging behaviors, (3) meals skipped due to cost, and (4) nighttime eating episodes. This creates a pattern you can share with healthcare providers.
  • Use the app to set a daily goal of eating three planned meals, even if portions are small. When food is limited, planning ahead helps prevent both binge eating and restrictive patterns. The app can send reminders for meal times and help you track whether food access improved (through benefits applications or assistance programs).
  • Weekly review of eating patterns alongside food security status. Create a simple score (1-10) for both food security and eating behavior control. Over 4-8 weeks, you should see whether improvements in food access correlate with improvements in eating patterns. Share this data with your healthcare provider to guide treatment decisions.

This research describes associations between food insecurity and eating problems in veterans but does not prove that one causes the other. If you’re a veteran struggling with food access or eating behaviors, please consult with your healthcare provider, a registered dietitian, or a mental health professional for personalized advice. This information is not a substitute for professional medical or mental health treatment. If you’re experiencing an eating disorder or food insecurity crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line (988 then press 1) or the National Eating Disorders Association Helpline (1-800-931-2237) for immediate support.