The Nexus Between Family Food Insecurity and Mental Health of its Members: A Review

Abstract

Food is one of the primary sources of sustainability for families. A family with
inconsistent access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food is considered food
insecure, which can negatively impact their mental well-being. Studies have
shown a significant increase in the number of food-insecure Nigerians, rising
from 66.2 million in Q1 2023 to 100 million in Q1 2024. This paper reviewed
existing literature on family food insecurity, its causes, and its consequences
for the mental health and well-being of families, utilizing Google Scholar as
the search tool. The literature established that family food insecurity is
significantly linked to anxiety, emotional distress, depression, and other
mental health issues among family members. Poor mental health can hinder
the ability to access safe and nutritious foods; thus, as access to adequate food
and nutrition decreases, family members experience increased anxiety,
emotional distress, and depression. Additionally, worsening mental health
can lead to decreased productivity among family members, further
intensifying food insecurity, thus creating a cyclical relationship between food
insecurity and mental health. Policy and public health interventions must
address the intertwined issues of food insecurity and mental hea lth.
Therefore, there is a call to action for food security to be included as a critical
component of primary healthcare that every family should have access to.