Sexual orientation, food insecurity, and barriers to food-bank use in the UK: Longitudinal evidence from Understanding Society.

BACKGROUND

Food insecurity has increased in the UK, yet little is known about disparities by sexual orientation or whether food-insecure sexual minority adults face distinct barriers to food-bank access.

METHODS

We used the 2011-2025 UK Household Longitudinal Study to examine sexual orientation disparities in food insecurity, food-related financial pressure, food-bank use, and reasons for food-bank non-use. Food insecurity was measured using the eight-item Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). A high food-spending-burden measure, calibrated against FIES-defined food insecurity, was applied across Waves 3-15. We estimated logistic and population-averaged longitudinal logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Compared with heterosexual adults, bisexual adults, adults in the "other" sexual orientation category, and adults who preferred not to disclose their sexual orientation had 23%, 66%, and 23% higher adjusted odds of food insecurity, respectively. No significant disparity was observed among gay/lesbian adults. Disparities were particularly pronounced among bisexual women, women in the "other" category, and non-disclosing women. Longitudinal analyses showed persistent food-related financial pressure among "other" and non-disclosing respondents, with disparities during and after the COVID pandemic. Among food-insecure respondents, adults in the "other" and non-disclosing categories had higher odds of food-bank use. Among food-insecure non-users, bisexual and non-disclosing adults were more likely to report not wanting to use food banks, while gay/lesbian adults were more likely to report being unable to use them.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides, to our knowledge, the first nationally representative longitudinal UK evidence linking sexual orientation with both food insecurity and food-bank access. Findings support sexual-orientation-disaggregated monitoring and more inclusive food-support systems.