Beyond Hunger: Uncovering the Link between Food Insecurity and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Adolescents

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity (FI) represents a critical public health concern, particularly for adolescents, as it compromises nutritional intake and mental health during crucial developmental stages. Objectives: This study examines the associations between FI and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress in a sample of 712 adolescents aged 12-17 y from Valle de Ricote, Region of Murcia, Spain. Methods: Data were sourced from the cross-sectional "Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities" study. FI was assessed via the Child Food Security Survey Module, whereas mental health symptoms were evaluated via the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale. Generalized linear models adjusted for socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and anthropometric variables were employed to estimate the relationships between FI and psychological outcomes. Results: Of the 712 adolescents (median age 14 y; 56% girls), 16.2% experienced FI. These adolescents had significantly greater risks of mental health symptoms: the likelihood of experiencing depression, anxiety, and stress was 2-3 times greater than that of their food-secure peers (odds ratios ranging from 2.45 to 3.35). Notably, the predicted probabilities of experiencing symptoms of anxiety and stress among food-insecure adolescents were 39.2% and 43.5%, respectively, whereas they were 16.1% and 19.8%, respectively, among their food-secure peers (P < 0.001 for both comparisons). Conclusions: These results underscore the profound psychological toll of FI and highlight the necessity of targeted interventions to address this issue. Addressing FI through public health policies and psychosocial programs is essential for mitigating its detrimental impact on adolescent mental health.