M S Martin1, E Maddocks2, Y Chen3, S E Gilman4, I Colman3. 1. School of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. Electronic address: mmart007@uottawa.ca. 2. School of Information Studies, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. 3. School of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Preventive Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. 4. Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Food insecurity is associated with elevated risk of mental illness. This risk may be further compounded by stressful life events and by social isolation. This study investigated whether the risk of mental illness is higher among individuals experiencing food insecurity along with greater stress and social isolation. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional self-report survey data from the 2009-10 Canadian Community Health Survey (N = 100,401). METHODS: We estimated prevalence differences of the risk of self-reported mental illness associated with food insecurity alone and in combination with stressful life events and social isolation. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on a sub-sample who completed a structured diagnostic interview. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of mental illness was 18.4% [95% CI 16.7-20.1] higher for women and 13.5% higher [95% CI 11.9, 15.2] for men in severely food insecure households compared to those reporting food security. The increased risk of mental illness associated with food insecurity was more pronounced among females and those reporting higher stress and social isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals reporting food insecurity are at increased risk of mental illness. This increased risk is further exacerbated in high stress and socially isolated environments. Policies, clinical and public health interventions must address broader constellations of risks that exist when food insecurity is present.
OBJECTIVES: Food insecurity is associated with elevated risk of mental illness. This risk may be further compounded by stressful life events and by social isolation. This study investigated whether the risk of mental illness is higher among individuals experiencing food insecurity along with greater stress and social isolation. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional self-report survey data from the 2009-10 Canadian Community Health Survey (N = 100,401). METHODS: We estimated prevalence differences of the risk of self-reported mental illness associated with food insecurity alone and in combination with stressful life events and social isolation. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on a sub-sample who completed a structured diagnostic interview. RESULTS: Overall, the prevalence of mental illness was 18.4% [95% CI 16.7-20.1] higher for women and 13.5% higher [95% CI 11.9, 15.2] for men in severely food insecure households compared to those reporting food security. The increased risk of mental illness associated with food insecurity was more pronounced among females and those reporting higher stress and social isolation. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals reporting food insecurity are at increased risk of mental illness. This increased risk is further exacerbated in high stress and socially isolated environments. Policies, clinical and public health interventions must address broader constellations of risks that exist when food insecurity is present.
Authors: Andrea López-Cepero; Christine Frisard; Ganga Bey; Stephenie C Lemon; Milagros C Rosal Journal: Public Health Nutr Date: 2019-11-13 Impact factor: 4.022
Authors: James Lachaud; Cilia Mejia-Lancheros; Michael Liu; Ri Wang; Rosane Nisenbaum; Vicky Stergiopoulos; Stephen W Hwang; Patricia O'Campo Journal: Front Nutr Date: 2021-05-12
Authors: Andrea López-Cepero; June O'Neill; Martha Tamez; Luis M Falcón; Katherine L Tucker; José F Rodríguez-Orengo; Josiemer Mattei Journal: J Acad Nutr Diet Date: 2020-10-24 Impact factor: 4.910