Nourishing the mind: How food security influences mental wellbeing

A serious worldwide public health concern that has a big impact on mental health is food insecurity. The relationship between food security and mental health is complex. This narrative review by Ejiohuo et al. (2024) aims to explore how food insecurity impacts mental well-being, with a particular focus on its effects on mental health and its role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals 2 (on hunger) and 3 (improving global well-being). A thorough search for pertinent reports and policy papers was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, and Google. The review highlights the relationship between food security and mental health, demonstrating how these two aspects are intricately linked and impacted by societal injustices, financial circumstances, and the availability of wholesome food. The review highlights that food insecurity and mental health are closely linked and affected by multiple factors. It also offers suggestions on how to include food security in mental health plans. These include digital mental health services, urban agriculture, and sustainable farming methods to enhance mental health and food security. The authors underscore the need for collaborative and interdisciplinary efforts and systemic reforms to address the interconnected challenges of food insecurity and mental health. [NPID: food security, food insecurity, mental health, stress, anxiety, depression, nutrition, hygiene, wellbeing]

Year: 2024

Reference: Ejiohuo, O., Onyeaka, H., Unegbu, K. C., Chikezie, O. G., Odeyemi, O. A., Lawal, A., & Odeyemi, O. A. (2024). Nourishing the mind: How food security influences mental wellbeing. Nutrients, 16(4), 501. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16040501

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