What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess the associations between food insecurity, psychological distress outcomes, and COVID-19-specific worries among low-income adults in the United States.

February 1, 2021Health EquityOpen Access

Food Insecurity Is Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Evidence from the Early Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

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Authors

JWJulia A. WolfsonJohns Hopkins University TGTravertine GarciaUniversity of Michigan CLCindy W. LeungHarvard University

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Implication

Survey study reveals severe food insecurity drastically elevates depression and anxiety risks in low-income adults, indicating food access is crucial for mental well-being.

Key Points

To assess the associations between food insecurity, psychological distress outcomes, and COVID-19-specific worries among low-income adults in the United States.
Fielded a national web-based survey (N=1,476; 53% response rate) between March 19 and 24, 2020, among US adults living below 250% of the federal poverty line.
Assessed food security status using the 18-item USDA Household Food Security Module.
Employed multivariable-adjusted logistic regression models to evaluate associations between food security status, mental health screening results, and pandemic-specific concerns.
Screening rates among low-income adults were 33% for depression, 39% for anxiety, and 39% for high perceived stress, each displaying a significant dose–response relationship with food insecurity (all p-trend <0.001).
Compared to food-secure peers, adults with very low food security exhibited significantly higher odds of depression (OR 7.72; 95% CI: 5.52–10.80), anxiety (OR 6.19; 95% CI: 4.51–8.51), and high perceived stress (OR 10.91; 95% CI: 7.78–15.30).
Very low food security strongly correlated with pandemic-specific worries regarding personal health (OR 2.56; 95% CI: 1.90–3.45), lost income (OR 5.18; 95% CI: 3.78–7.06), and the ability to feed one's family (OR 9.24; 95% CI: 6.61–12.92).

Cite This Study

Wolfson et al. (2021) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a0fff6ed13714ec96fef7fc https://doi.org/10.1089/heq.2020.0059

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Implication

Survey study reveals severe food insecurity drastically elevates depression and anxiety risks in low-income adults, indicating food access is crucial for mental well-being.

Food Insecurity Is Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Evidence from the Early Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Food Insecurity Is Associated with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: Evidence from the Early Days of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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