Food access relates to loss of control eating in adolescents with cardiometabolic conditions: Exploration of week-to-week variation

The present study examined the relationship between food insecurity (FI) and loss of control eating (LOC) in adolescents treated for cardiometabolic conditions, and inter-connections among week-to-week variations in receipt of SNAP benefits, FI, and LOC. Forty-one adolescents presenting to cardiometabolic clinics completed validated surveys of FI and LOC. A subset of 20 adolescents experiencing FI completed 4 weekly e-surveys, over 1 month. Overall, 56% reported public assistance, 39% reported FI, and 37% reported LOC. FI related to greater LOC (β = 0.17, p < 0.01). Among those with FI, receipt of SNAP related to greater within-person FI within the same week (β = 0.60, p < 0.05) but not the following week (β = -0.48, p = 0.20). FI related to greater LOC in the same week (β = 0.17, p < 0.001) and in the following week (β = 0.20, p < 0.001). In adolescents treated for cardiometabolic conditions, FI is prevalent and related to greater LOC. SNAP benefits might dampen FI week-to-week, but the effect of FI on LOC and cardiometabolic health should be explored causally.