Food Insecurity and Pregnancy
The CNP Food Insecurity and Pregnancy Research Category consolidates research exploring the interdependent relationship between food insecurity and pregnancy. To view each original study on the open internet, click “Original.” To view the CNP-written abstract summary, click “CNP Summary.” While only some of the CNP-written abstract summaries are available below for free, all abstract summaries are available to CNP members through the CNP Library Membership.
FEATURED CNP RESEARCH SUMMARY
In this study by Sparling et al. (2020), the authors aimed to quantitatively evaluate the links between indicators of food availability, nutrition, and a positive depression screening in a population of Bangladeshi rural women of reproductive age. Using cross-sectional data on 2,599 women from the Food and Agricultural Approaches to Reducing Malnutrition (FAARM), the authors investigated the links between depression in non-peripartum (NPW) and peripartum women (PW) in the context of food security. The results revealed that out of the selected study participants, 20% had a positive screening for major depressive disorder, 40% were either pregnant or up to 1 year postpartum, while 60% were not postpartum. Depression was explained via analysis revealing food and nutrition security to be the underlying reason. Food insecurity (HFIAS), poor household food consumption (FCS) and poor dietary diversity (< 5 groups) increased the likelihood of suffering from depression by more than or equal to two folds. On the other hand, a diet composed of dairy, eggs, fish, vitamin A, and vitamin C-rich foods was linked to a lower likelihood of suffering from depression. Finally, an association was discovered between a low BMI and depressive disorder (<18·5 kg/m2). In conclusion, the authors comment that depression among women was related to several aspects of food and nutrition availability, even after controlling for socio-economic factors. Additional research is necessary to understand the drivers behind food and nutrition security-related depression, to identify potential interventions and ways to improve the diets and alleviate depression in women living in low- and middle-income countries.
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
2020
The relationship between household food insecurity and depressive symptoms among pregnant women: A cross sectional study
In spite of the fact that current evidence postulates the existence of a relationship between household food insecurity (HFI) and unfavorable mental health outcomes, the research investigating these relationships in pregnant women remains insufficient. In this cross-sectional study by Khoshgoo et al. (2020), the authors investigated the relationship between HFI and symptoms of depression in a population of 394 pregnant women (28.59 ± 7.28 years old). The study participants filled an 18-item US Household Food Security Survey Module, and had their depression assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory-II questionnaire. 48% of the study participants reported that they suffered from food insecurity, while 37% stated that their depression worsened during pregnancy. The results revealed an increase in the symptoms of depression with rising food insecurity and unemployment in women, while a higher education level was linked to a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. Furthermore, HFI was found to substantially increase the odds of suffering from depressive symptoms in increasing severity, which was also reduced in individuals with higher educational attainment. The authors conclude that HFI is linked to severe symptoms of depression in pregnant women, which raises the importance of routine HFI screening as part of prenatal care, and how more work is needed to understand this relationship. [NPID: Depression, food insecurity, pregnancy, socioeconomic factors, women]
2020
Depression among women of reproductive age in rural Bangladesh is linked to food security, diets and nutrition
In this study by Sparling et al. (2020), the authors aimed to quantitatively evaluate the links between indicators of food availability, nutrition, and a positive depression screening in a population of Bangladeshi rural women of reproductive age. Using cross-sectional data on 2,599 women from the Food and Agricultural Approaches to Reducing Malnutrition (FAARM), the authors investigated the links between depression in non-peripartum (NPW) and peripartum women (PW) in the context of food security. The results revealed that out of the selected study participants, 20% had a positive screening for major depressive disorder, 40% were either pregnant or up to 1 year postpartum, while 60% were not postpartum. Depression was explained via analysis revealing food and nutrition security to be the underlying reason. Food insecurity (HFIAS), poor household food consumption (FCS) and poor dietary diversity (< 5 groups) increased the likelihood of suffering from depression by more than or equal to two folds. On the other hand, a diet composed of dairy, eggs, fish, vitamin A, and vitamin C-rich foods was linked to a lower likelihood of suffering from depression. Finally, an association was discovered between a low BMI and depressive disorder (<18·5 kg/m2). In conclusion, the authors comment that depression among women was related to several aspects of food and nutrition availability, even after controlling for socio-economic factors. Additional research is necessary to understand the drivers behind food and nutrition security-related depression, to identify potential interventions and ways to improve the diets and alleviate depression in women living in low- and middle-income countries. [NPID: Depression, dietary diversity, food, maternal health, nutrition, peripartum depression]
CNP Research Summary can be found in the CNP Library Membership
2020
Maternal anxiety and diet quality among mothers and toddlers from low‐income households
In this study by Trude et al. (2020), the authors investigated the relationship between maternal anxiety and dietary quality over time in a population of 276 mothers and their toddlers within a low-income setting. Data was extrapolated from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (2007-2010) and from pediatric clinics attended by the participants. The data recorded relevant observations at study onset, after 6 months, and after 12 months. The participants submitted 24-hr dietary recalls, and had their dietary quality evaluated using the Healthy Eating Index 2015, while anxiety was evaluated using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Analysis of the data revealed a significant positive association between maternal and toddler dietary quality, and maternal anxiety scores were associated with a negative impact on toddler Healthy Eating Index scores, with time having no significant impact on this relationship. Similarly, maternal anxiety scores were found to elicit a negative impact on maternal dietary quality at study onset and after 6 months, but not after 12 months. The authors conclude that mothers and toddlers suffered from depreciation in dietary quality with increasing maternal stress scores and that dietary promoting strategies would benefit from including contingencies to reduce anxiety, as part of their efforts in promoting maternal and toddler care and feeding behaviors. [NPID: Maternal diet, toddlers, dietary quality, anxiety, low-income setting]
2014
Food policies for physical and mental health
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the top contributor to early mortality and are speculated to result in a global burden of over $30 trillion over the next two decades. One of the top reasons behind commonly seen NCDs (such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer) is adopting unhealthy diet patterns, promoted through the derangements observed in our global food systems. Current studies highlight the role of unhealthy dietary patterns in mental illnesses like dementia and depression, a role that Jacka et al. (2014) discuss in their work as a potentially substantial influence on the overall burden of mental illnesses worldwide, and a considerable catalyst to spur governmental policies to enhance food environments and, in turn, overall population health. [NPID: Dementia, mental health problem, dietary pattern, mental health outcome, Mediterranean diet]