Food insecurity is associated with disordered eating behaviors in NCAA division 1 male collegiate athletes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship of high school and collegiate household food security to current disordered food consumption behaviors in a sample of NCAA Division 1 male, collegiate athletes.

PARTICIPANTS: Male athletes, 18 years and older from a Southeastern Conference university in August-September 2016.

METHODS: Cross-sectional survey including food security disordered eating behavior, and food hoarding questions.

RESULTS: Among participants (n = 111), high school food insecurity was significantly correlated with a preoccupation with food, but not binge eating in college. Collegiate food insecurity was significantly correlated with a preoccupation with, and hoarding of, food in college.

CONCLUSIONS: Among male collegiate athletes, both high school and collegiate food insecurity are associated with preoccupation with food, and collegiate food insecurity is associated with food hoarding. Screening for both high school and collegiate food insecurity and disordered behaviors in athletes is warranted. Future research in a larger sample, including females, across institutions is warranted.