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Experiencing Discrimination Predicts Higher Body Mass Index Among Food Insecure Young Adults

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: Large scale epidemiological data suggests that exposure to childhood food insecurity increases risk for cardiometabolic diseases in emerging adulthood. Yet contextual factors during emerging adulthood that shape this association are not fully understood. Experiencing systemic barriers such as discrimination during emerging adulthood, a critical developmental phase may be an important contextual factor. Grounded in a syndemic framework, this cross-sectional study of emerging adults (n = 126) examined the link between childhood food insecurity, discrimination, and body mass index. Results showed that discrimination predicted higher body mass index only among emerging adults who endorsed childhood food insecurity, (β = 0.64, SE = 0.27, p = .02). Findings suggest that the health impact of discrimination appears to be amplified when emerging adults have experienced childhood food insecurity. Results underscore the importance of childhood food security in understanding emerging adult health amid stress experienced from discrimination.

DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/9ucwa_v1

Authors: Karen Jennings Mathis, Stacey Bevan, Hector I Lopez-Vergara, Laura Stroud, Chrystal Vergara-Lopez

Institution: Brown University

Language: English

Topic: Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7149397093

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