Page 18 - IJPS-9-1

International Journal of
Population Studies Food insecurity severity and depression

In recent years, as there has been a cultural shift compared to those who were fully food secure (Ashe &
toward discussing and destigmatizing mental health and Lapane, 2018).
mental illness, more studies have sought to investigate Tarasuk et al. (2018) examined the relationship
a link between food insecurity and mental health between food security and utilization of public mental
disorders. Several studies have found that food insecurity health care services in Ontario, Canada. They found
is associated with lower quality of life and increased that over the past year of the study, 40.4% of adults
prevalence of mental health issues or increased likelihood
of seeking mental health services (Chung et al., 2016; in severely food-insecure households had received
Hatsu et al., 2017; Nagata et al., 2019; Pound & Chen, 2021; treatment for their mental health compared to 15.6%
Tarasuk et al., 2020; Tarasuk et al., 2018). In particular, of adults in food-secure households (Tarasuk et al.,
depression is a debilitating disorder that affects five 2018). Several additional studies determined that young
percent of adults worldwide (Institute for Health Metrics adults experiencing food insecurity had increased odds
and Evaluation, 2022). Those suffering from depression of mental health issues and poorer sleep (Nagata et al.,
will often experience lower function at work and poorer 2019). Individuals experiencing food insecurity also had
personal relationships. Depression can also lead to suicide a significantly higher prevalence of perceived poor or
in worst-case scenarios. Recent studies showed that 9.2% fair mental health status (Pound & Chen, 2021). Other
of Americans 12 years and older experienced a major research has shown an association of food insecurity
depressive episode within the past year (Goodwin et al., with nutritional deficiencies, adverse mental health, and
2022). The economic burden due to depression in U.S. overall lower quality of life (Chung et al., 2016).
adults was approximately $236 billion in 2018 (Greenberg The purpose of our present study was to examine
et al., 2021). Despite the breadth and severity of depression, how the severity of food insecurity is associated
the amount spent on direct treatment was only 11.2% of with major depression in adults using a nationally
the total economic burden. representative U.S. sample. The previous studies have

In a study on food security and quality of life in focused on examining the relationship between food
individuals living with HIV, Hatsu et al. (2017) found insecurity and utilization of mental health treatment
that participants who reported experiencing very low or poorer mental health status in general, but few have
food security had significantly lower mental component examined the specific association with major depressive
summary scores, indicating food insecurity had serious disorder. Due to the often more severe outcomes that
adverse mental health effects in their sample. result from major depressive disorder, it would be
One potential mechanism between food insecurity and prudent to explore any factors related to the condition.
depression is the stress response pathway. An increase in We hypothesized that those individuals experiencing
allostatic load due to food insecurity can raise cortisol more severe food insecurity would be more likely to
and norepinephrine levels which have been associated experience depression. Results from this study may
with depression (McClain et al., 2018). An increase in provide further insight into the relationship between
allostatic load is also accompanied by chronic issues food insecurity and depression and may be used to
such as inflammation, unhealthier cholesterol levels, and identify preventable social risk factors for depression.
hypertension. Each of these issues can create or contribute
to ongoing medical issues, creating a positive feedback 2. Data and methods
loop for stress. 2.1. Data source
Another study focusing on food insecurity and We used the National Health and Nutrition Examination
maternal outcomes in Ontario found that the prevalence Survey (NHANES) 2017–2018 data for our analysis.
of postpartum mental health disorders was higher Although the most recent 2019–2020 data is available, we
among women who experienced food insecurity (34.8%) opted not to analyze this wave as the NHANES stated data
compared to those who experienced marginal (15.2%) or collection was halted in March 2020 due to the COVID-19
no food insecurity (20.6%) (Tarasuk et al., 2020). pandemic, which subsequently led to the 2019–2020 data
Food insecurity may also increase the risk of depression being neither nationally representative nor generalizable
through social support. Food insecurity has been shown to the U.S. population. As of January 2023, the NHANES
to lead to social isolation in older adults, which, in turn, is 2021–2022 data have not been released as well. Thus,
associated with depression (Burris et al., 2021). Likewise, the NHANES 2017–2018 data set includes a nationally
Ashe & Lapane (2018) found that those who were food representative sample of 5856 individuals aged 18 years or
insecure were 80% less likely to have strong social support older.

Volume 9 Issue 1 (2023) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.435