Food insecurity and psychological distress: a review of the recent literature

A lack of enough food, either in terms of quantity or quality, is referred to as food insecurity, whereas psychological discomfort encompasses mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This review by Myers (2020) includes the literature on the connection between food insecurity and psychological discomfort. In studies published over the last five years, food insecurity was consistently and positively associated with various indicators of psychological distress. These conclusions were drawn from primary data collecting and subsequent analysis, as well as cross-sectional and longitudinal research conducted in various income-level nations. The research also covered various populations, such as adults, college students, individuals with chronic illnesses, and parents. The author emphasizes the tight connection between psychological discomfort and food insecurity as health issues. Future research should focus on addressing key gaps, especially developing interventions that simultaneously tackle food insecurity and mental health issues. [NPID: Food insecurity, psychological distress, psychological health, psychological well-being, mental health]

Year: 2024

Reference: Myers, C. A. (2020). Food insecurity and psychological distress: a review of the recent literature. Current Nutrition Reports, 9(2), 107–118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13668-020-00309-1