Discrimination and Disordered Eating in Economically Disadvantaged Adults: A Multilevel, Longitudinal Study

Abstract

Experiences of discrimination exert a significant psychological toll. However, to our knowledge, no studies have examined longitudinal associations between discrimination and disordered eating (DE) in intersectionally marginalized adults. We investigated associations between discrimination and DE symptoms (binge eating, restraint, body dissatisfaction, weight preoccupation, and emotional eating) cross-sectionally and longitudinally in a predominantly Black, low-income sample of adults ( N  = 561). Using multilevel structural equation modeling, we found that greater discrimination was associated with all DE symptom domains at a between-person levels and greater binge eating and body dissatisfaction at a within-person level. Greater within-person discrimination was also associated with increased within-person binge eating a year later. Covarying demographic factors had little impact on effect sizes. Attributions of discrimination (e.g., to weight, sex, or race) moderated associations between discrimination and DE differentially across symptom domains. Addressing discrimination and related stress may help reduce eating-disorder risk and promote health equity.