Food insecurity and mental well-being in immigrants: A global analysis

This study by Nan Dou et al. (2022) evaluates the pervasiveness of food insecurity, mental well-being, and the links between them in immigrant vs. nonimmigrant populations on regional and global levels. Using data from the Gallup World Poll (2014 to 2019), 36,313 immigrants and 705,913 nonimmigrants were investigated through the Food Insecurity Experience Scale, the Negative Experience Index, the Positive Experience Index, and a community attachment index, with additional accounting for sociodemographic factors, survey years and country fixed effects. Analysis of the results revealed that 38.6% of immigrants suffered from food insecurity throughout the poll years and that a significant relationship existed between the degree of food insecurity experienced, higher Negative Experience Index, and lower Positive Experience Index results. This pattern was also observed in nonimmigrant populations and in specific regions. On the other hand, community attachment had a marginal impact on the relationship between food insecurity and mental well-being. Immigration, however, substantially impacted the relationship between food insecurity and mental well-being negatively, with immigrants experiencing abject mental well-being conditions more than their nonimmigrant counterparts, despite accounting for community attachment and food insecurity. The authors highlight the prevalence of food insecurity and its links with poor mental well-being in immigrants across the world. Further work is necessary to mediate food insecurity, enhance community involvement and improve mental health among immigrants, particularly in Asian and Pacific regions. [NPID: Food insecurity, community attachment, mental well-being, immigrants, nonimmigrants, Gallup World Poll]

Year: 2022

Reference: Dou, Murray-Kolb, Mitchell, Melgar-Quinonez, Na, M. (2022). Am J Prev Med, (000)000 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2022.02.006