Food insecurity and mental wellbeing: a cross-sectional survey of 2,014 UK adults

AbstractBackgroundFood insecurity is associated with mental-health difficulties, but its overlap with dietary self-care perceptions requires further examination. We assessed associations with positive mental wellbeing among UK adults.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey recruited UK adults through Prolific from 29 July to 27 August 2026. Analyses included 2,014 respondents with scoreable adapted Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES) responses; 1,811 had complete covariate data. Linear regression with robust standard errors estimated WHO-5 wellbeing differences per additional food-insecurity experience. Modified Poisson regression estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) for poor wellbeing (WHO-5 <50). An exploratory analysis added self-care commitment, agency and four perceived structural conditions.ResultsAmong 2,014 respondents, 596 (29.6%) reported at least one past-month food-insecurity experience, and 714 (35.5%) scored below 50 on the WHO-5. Each additional experience was associated with a 2.43-point lower WHO-5 score (95% CI −3.05 to −1.81) and a higher prevalence of poor wellbeing (PR 1.10, 95% CI 1.07–1.13) after adjustment. Respondents scoring 6–8 had WHO-5 scores 14.97 points lower than those scoring 0 (95% CI −20.44 to −9.49). Adding all six healthy-eating measures reduced the coefficient to −0.60 points (95% CI −1.22 to 0.03), approximately 75% attenuation. Agency and affordability produced the largest reductions when added separately. Recruitment-wave adjustment yielded a similar main estimate; disability-related heterogeneity was inconclusive.ConclusionsFood-insecurity experiences were associated with poorer wellbeing and overlapped statistically with dietary self-care perceptions. The findings support evaluating integrated food-access and wellbeing support, but do not establish mediation or causality. Sample percentages are not UK population prevalence estimates.