Impact of Food Insecurity on Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Cross-sectional Study

This study investigated the effects of food insecurity on the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as on cardiometabolic risk factors. It is cross sectional study. Individuals aged over 17 years undergone semi-structured interviews to record sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, food insecurity, symptoms of depression and anxiety. Subsequently, anthropometric characteristics (i.e., body weight, height, waist and hip circumference) were assessed. The main outcomes were symptoms of depression and anxiety, body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. Individuals classified as food insecure exhibited higher scores on the Beck Depression Inventory compared to those classified as food secure (8.85 vs. 7.29 arbitrary units; P = 0.0413). There was no statistically significant difference in Beck Depression Anxiety scores or the frequency of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms between food-secure and food-insecure individuals (all P < 0.05). Body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio were similar between individuals classified as food insecure and food secure (both P > 0.05). The adjusted linear regression model showed a significant association between food secure and symptoms of depression (β = 1.85; 95%CI 0.15 to 3.56; P = 0.0330). No significant effects of distinct levels of food insecurity on mental and anthropometric outcomes were observed (all P > 0.05). Individuals identified as food insecure tend to experience more symptoms of depression compared to those classified as food secure. These findings highlight food insecurity as a significant public health issue, with a detrimental impact on mental health.