What is Food Insecurity?
According to Statistics Canada, food insecurity refers to the inability to access a sufficient quantity or variety of food because of financial constraints and is an established marker of material deprivation in Canada.
Classifications of Food Security
- High food security: These households have access, at all times, to enough food for an active life for all household members.
- Marginal food security: Sometimes these households have indications of worry about running out of food and/or limited food selection due to a lack of money for food.
- Low food security: Sometimes these households have indications of compromise in the quality and/or quantity of food consumed.
- Very low food security: These households have indications of reduced food intake and disrupted eating patterns.
Factors of Food Security
- Availability: Is there enough food in the household to meet the bare nutritional requirements of everyone living with you?
- Access: Can you afford to purchase a variety of food? Do you have a way to get to a store to buy food? Do you live near a grocery store?
- Stability: Are you always sure that there will be enough food for everyone in the household?
- Utilization: Are you able to properly store and use food (i.e. refrigerate, cook, open packaging, etc.)?
Note that if the answer to any of the above questions is ‘no’, the household or individual faces food insecurity. We also recognize that folks who do not have access to culturally appropriate foods are considered food insecure, a definition not mentioned in the research presented here, but that is equally valid. It’s important for folks to have access to enough food, a variety of foods, and culturally appropriate foods.
Food Insecurity and Eating Disorders
Although there is limited research on the effect of food insecurity on eating disorders, recent studies state that many individuals living with food insecurity experience a “feast-or-famine” cycle in which food intake is determined by fluctuations in food availability. When food is scare, folks may decrease their food intake and when it is available (i.e. after a paycheque) they may binge foods.
Researchers have found that individuals living with high levels of food insecurity report higher levels of binge eating, a higher likelihood of living with any type of eating disorder, dietary restraint for any reason, weight self-stigma, etc. Children who experience food insecurity may also develop increased rates of compensatory behaviours, such as skipping meals to maintain a body goal or using laxatives.
More research is needed to highlight the communities affected by food insecurity, and to create resources to help combat eating disorders and food insecurity in these marginalized communities.
Resources to Help Minimize Food Insecurity in Canada
The Government of Canada lists the following organizations as established food aid distribution networks for providing food to those in need. These organizations may assist those living with food insecurity, but they do eliminate it.
- Food Banks Canada
- Second Harvest
- Community Food Centres Canada
- Salvation Army
- Indigenous Community Support Fund
In addition to the above, different provinces and communities have access to community-funded alternatives like community fridges.
How Can We Help?
As parents, you may feel guilt for noticing eating disorder symptoms in your child after being faced with food insecurity and the “feast-or-famine” cycle, but you are not to blame as there are many factors that may lead to the development of an eating disorder.
Accessing support for an eating disorder can be challenging while being faced with food insecurity, especially with high wait times for the public sector. We acknowledge that folks living with food insecurity cannot afford private eating disorder services. At Change Creates Change, we offer the a free webinar to help support parents with children living with eating disorders.
- Free Parent Webinar: On-demand webinar facilitated by Jillian, an Eating Disorder Dietitian and Therapist who helps parents and carers who are worried that their child has an eating disorder and aren’t sure what to do next. Jillian will teach you how to detect if your child has an eating disorder, walk you through the next steps you need to take and help you problem-solve some of the obstacles in your way right now.
