Associations between eating disorder symptoms, employment status, and occupational functioning among female veterans

Sienkiewicz, Megan; Iverson, Katherine M.; Smith, Brian N.; Mitchell, Karen S.

doi:10.1016/j.eatbeh.2021.101536

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 33 publications

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“…Disordered eating among veterans has been a costly problem; in the general population, the annual cost of a patient with an ED ranged from $1288 to $8042 US dollars (Stuhldreher et al, 2012). Veterans with disordered eating also experienced health and socioeconomic consequences, such as impaired occupational functioning (Sienkiewicz et al, 2021), increased healthcare use (Mitchell et al, 2022), and lowered relationship satisfaction with their romantic partners (Blais et al, 2019).…”

Section: Disordered Eating In Veteran Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining associations between disordered eating and harmful substance use in a nationally representative sample of US veterans

Chen,

Christensen Pacella,

Forbush

et al. 2024

Intl J Eating Disorders

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ObjectiveThe association between eating disorders (EDs) and harmful substance use (substance use that causes psychosocial impairment) is well recognized in the literature, and military veterans may be at heightened risk for both issues due to deployment‐related stressors. However, little is known about which ED‐related symptoms are associated with harmful substance use in veterans, and whether gender plays a differential role in this relationship. Our aims were to: (1) examine gender differences in ED‐related symptoms; and (2) examine whether ED‐related symptoms differentially predict harmful substance use in US veteran men and women who had recently separated from service.MethodThis study was based on a nationally representative four‐wave longitudinal sample of post‐9/11 veterans (N = 835; 61.2% female). Longitudinal mixed modeling was used to test whether specific ED‐related behaviors at baseline predicted harmful substance use at follow‐ups.ResultsWe replicated gendered patterns of ED‐related symptoms observed in civilian populations, wherein men had higher weight‐and‐body‐related concerns (including excessive exercise and muscle building) and negative attitude toward obesity, and women had higher bulimic and restricting symptoms. For women, alcohol, drug, and marijuana problems were predicted by higher bulimic symptoms, whereas for men, these problems were predicted by higher restricting symptoms.ConclusionGender played a differential role in the relationship between EDs and harmful substance use. Bulimic symptoms were the most robust predictor for harmful substance use among veteran women, whereas restricting was the most robust predictor for harmful substance use among veteran men.Public SignificanceThe current study found that veteran women had higher bulimic symptoms (characterized by binge eating and purging) and restricting than veteran men. In women, bulimic symptoms predicted future harmful use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs. In contrast, veteran men had higher weight‐and‐body‐related concerns (characterized by excessive exercise and muscle building) than veteran women. In men, restricting symptoms predicted future harmful use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.

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Section: Disordered Eating In Veteran Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining associations between disordered eating and harmful substance use in a nationally representative sample of US veterans

Chen,

Christensen Pacella,

Forbush

et al. 2024

Intl J Eating Disorders

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Eating disorders and disordered eating in servicemen and women: A narrative review

Gaviria

Ammerman

2022

J Clin Psychol

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Objective Eating disorders (EDs) are mental illnesses impacting all aspects of an individual's life. Recent research has examined EDs and disordered‐eating behaviors in the military, a population subject to body composition standards, fitness requirements, and extreme stress. The purpose of this narrative review was to investigate ED and disordered‐eating prevalence and their risk factors in ROTC (reserve officers’ training corps), active‐duty, and veteran servicemembers. The secondary purpose was to provide policy recommendations to reduce the burden of these conditions in the military. Methods PubMed and PsycINFO were reviewed for relevant articles. All studies including data on EDs or disordered eating in U.S. active‐duty, ROTC, or veteran populations were considered. Results Results revealed a high burden of EDs and disordered eating with bulimic‐ and binge‐type behaviors being the most common. Servicemembers exposed to trauma, including military sexual assault, and those with comorbidities like PTSD showed a higher prevalence. Body composition and fitness testing were also associated with a higher risk. Qualitative studies suggest these conditions serve as coping mechanisms for aspects of military life. Conclusions The high prevalence of EDs and disordered eating in the military points toward the importance of identification, treatment, and prevention. Policy change is necessary to protect servicemembers.

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Moderate-to-severe food insecurity is positively correlated with the risk of eating disorders in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic

Tan

Shahril

2023

Ethics, Medicine and Public Health

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Associations between eating disorder symptoms, employment status, and occupational functioning among female veterans

Cited by 4 publications

References 33 publications

Examining associations between disordered eating and harmful substance use in a nationally representative sample of US veterans

Examining associations between disordered eating and harmful substance use in a nationally representative sample of US veterans

Eating disorders and disordered eating in servicemen and women: A narrative review

Moderate-to-severe food insecurity is positively correlated with the risk of eating disorders in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic

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