Hosfield, Cassandra2018-08-142018-08-142018-05https://hdl.handle.net/11299/198969University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. May 2018. Major: Nutrition. Advisor: Shalamar Sibley. 1 computer file (PDF); iv, 88 pages.Prior studies have linked food insecurity with obesity. In our population, patients with food insecurity were less likely to lose weight. Food insecurity more strongly correlated with weight loss failure than medical comorbidities and self-reported barriers including hunger or craving/binging. Therefore, we examined factors related to food insecurity in our university-based weight management clinic. Medical records and intake questionnaire data from 360 consecutive new patients were evaluated to determine relationships between food insecurity and demographics, psychological factors, and eating habits and patterns. Younger age, higher BMI, single marital status, smoking habits, and being on disability or unemployed were predictors of food insecurity. History of depression, anxiety, and sexual or physical abuse also correlated with food insecurity. As food insecurity increased, the importance of feeling full after a meal also increased. Effective multidisciplinary interventions should include adequate attention to food insecurity and associated psychological stressors. The link between psychosocial stressors with the neurobiology of appetite regulation is an important area for further research to address the health concerns of these complex patients.enThesis or Dissertation