Food insecurity is associated with higher respiratory quotient and lower glucagon‐like peptide 1

Food insecurity is known to be associated with obesity, but its association with physiological measures is unclear. Therefore, it was hypothesized that, compared with food‐secure individuals, those with food insecurity would have higher 24‐hour energy expenditure and 24‐hour respiratory quotient. Food insecurity is associated with higher 24‐hour RQ and lower fasting glucagon‐like peptide 1 concentrations, metabolic and hormonal differences previously shown to drive greater calorie intake in unrestricted food availability. These findings, therefore, provide new insight into the paradoxical link between restricted food access and increased adiposity.