Food Insecurity and Common Mental Disorders among Ethiopian Youth: Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the consequences of food insecurity on physical health and nutritional status of youth living have been reported, its effect on their mental health remains less investigated in developing countries. The aim of this study was to examine the pathways through which food insecurity is associated with poor mental health status among youth living in Ethiopia.MethodsWe used data from Jimma Longitudinal Family Survey of Youth (JLFSY) collected in 2009/10. A total of 1,521 youth were included in the analysis. We measured food insecurity using a 5-items scale and common mental disorders using the 20-item Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Structural and generalized equation modeling using maximum likelihood estimation method was used to analyze the data.ResultsThe prevalence of common mental disorders was 30.8% (95% CI: 28.6, 33.2). Food insecurity was independently associated with common mental disorders (β = 0.323, P<0.05). Most (91.8%) of the effect of food insecurity on common mental disorders was direct and only 8.2% of their relationship was partially mediated by physical health. In addition, poor self-rated health (β = 0.285, P<0.05), high socioeconomic status (β = -0.076, P<0.05), parental education (β = 0.183, P<0.05), living in urban area (β = 0.139, P<0.05), and female-headed household (β = 0.192, P<0.05) were associated with common mental disorders.ConclusionsFood insecurity is directly associated with common mental disorders among youth in Ethiopia. Interventions that aim to improve mental health status of youth should consider strategies to improve access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.

Household Food Insecurity and Mental Health Among Teenage Girls Living in Urban Slums in Varanasi, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The present study also shows teenage girls from socio-economically disadvantaged groups (schedule caste/schedule tribe) with a low family income (first and second terciles) were more likely to have mental health issues, which accords with previous studies [8,53,54]. For example, a systematic review paper reported socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents with a persistent low socioeconomic status were more likely to develop mental health problems [53], and Dashiff et al [54] reported poverty has direct effects on adolescent mental health.…”

“…After controlling for potential confounders, multivariate analysis showed household food insecurity was strongly associated with high anxiety, high depression, high loss of behavioral control and high psychological distress, which are consistent with the findings of many other studies [7,8,9,26,43]. Although no casual mechanism between FI and negative mental health has been established for adolescents, it has been suggested that uncertainty regarding the maintenance of food supplies generates stresses that might contribute to negative outcomes [59,60].…”

Mental distress, perceived need, and barriers to receive professional mental health care among university students in Ethiopia

“…As in any other LMICs, the prevalence and burden of anxiety and depression in Ethiopia is high. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis study reported that the pooled prevalence of these disorders is 22% [14], which is associated with risk factors such as food insecurity [15], poverty, violence, migration, and substance use [16]. The burden of depression alone contributes to about 6.5% of the burden of diseases [16], however, as noted above few people are able to receive formal mental health services.…”

Mental distress, perceived need, and barriers to receive professional mental health care among university students in Ethiopia

“…As in any other LMICs, the prevalence and burden of anxiety and depression in Ethiopia is high. For example, a systematic review and meta-analysis study reported that the pooled prevalence of these disorders is 22% (14), which is associated with risk factors such as food insecurity (15), poverty, violence, migration, and substance use (16). The burden of depression alone contributes to about 6.5% of the burden of diseases (16), however, as noted above few people are able to receive formal mental health services.…”