Food Insecurity Directly Causes Anxiety and Depression, Study Shows

Food insecurity is more than just a stressor — it directly causes symptoms of anxiety and depression, according to new research published in PLOS Mental Health. The study found that even short-term changes in food access can quickly impact mental health.

Researchers from Newcastle University, École Normale Supérieure, Northumbria University, and York University tracked nearly 500 adults in the UK and France from September 2022 to August 2023. Each month, participants reported their food security status and completed standard assessments for anxiety and depression, including the GAD-7 and PHQ-8 questionnaires.

A Clear Link Between Food and Mental Health

The results revealed that 39.5% of participants experienced food insecurity in at least one month. For those individuals, mental health shifted dramatically depending on their food security status. Anxiety and depression increased during months of insecurity and decreased when food access improved.

“What really impressed us was how rapidly symptoms of anxiety and depression responded to changes in participants’ food insecurity status and the large size of the effects,” the authors noted.

This rapid change suggests that food insecurity affects mental health through psychological stress rather than slower nutritional deficiencies. The findings indicate a direct and short-term causal relationship.

Potential for Fast, Positive Change

The researchers emphasized the potential of targeted interventions. Reducing or eliminating periodic food insecurity could significantly lower rates of anxiety and depression in vulnerable populations.

“Our results suggest that eliminating periodic food insecurity in those currently experiencing it could reduce the number of people with clinically concerning symptoms of anxiety and depression by 20 percentage points,” the authors added.

The study makes a compelling case for addressing food insecurity not just as a public health issue, but as an urgent mental health priority. Quick, effective changes in food access may lead to equally rapid improvements in emotional well-being.