Food Insecurity and Mental Health Trajectories during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Evidence from a Nationally Representative Survey

Abstract

Food insecurity and mental disorders are pressing public health issues during COVID-19. Empirical evidence on the extent to which food insecurity affects mental health outcomes of American adults as the pandemic unfolds remains limited. Longitudinal data from the Understanding Coronavirus in America survey collected biweekly between April and December 2020 were used (N=4,068). Respondents were asked about their food insecurity experiences and stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Linear mixed-effect models were estimated. Food insecurity was associated with higher levels of stress, anxi-ety, and depressive symptoms. Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms declined among food-secure U.S adults. However, mental health trajectories of respondents with various food insecurity categories remained stable or worsened over time. The mental health gap between food-secure and food-insecure groups widened over time. Food insecurity has substantial mental health implications amidst the pandemic. Screening for and addressing food insecurity may alleviate the mental health burden borne by food-insecure people.