Little is known about food insecurity in Asian Americans (AAs). We examined age/ethnic subgroup differences in food insecurity among AAs in California.

We examined associations between food insecurity and sociodemographic characteristics among AAs (Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese) using the Chi-square test. Rolling averages were calculated to examine food insecurity trends.

California

We used data from the California Health Interview Survey (2011-2018) for AAs categorized by age (18-39, 40-59, 60+ years).

Food insecurity prevalence varied by subgroup, with the highest observed in older adult (aged 60+) Vietnamese (26%). Between 2011-14 and 2015-18, food insecurity prevalence increased 20-45% across older adults, but showed a decreasing trend among younger adults. Being foreign born and speaking a language other than English at home were associated with increased food insecurity.

Community-engaged research to develop culturally appropriate strategies for mitigating food insecurity among older AAs is warranted.

Shifts in food acquisition during the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected diet. Assessing changes in diet is needed to inform food assistance programs aimed at mitigating diet disparities during future crises. This longitudinal study assessed changes in diet among a low-income, racially diverse population from March-November 2020.

Survey data were collected from 291 adults living in Austin, TX. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression models assessed the relationship between changes in consumption of fresh, frozen, and canned fruits and vegetables (FV), and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and the following food acquisition factors: food security, difficulty finding food, food bank usage, and food shopping method.

Adjusted models indicated individuals with consistent food insecurity had increased odds of reporting a higher category of consumption for frozen (aOR = 2.13, P < 0.05, CI:1.18-3.85) and canned (aOR = 4.04, P < 0.01, CI:2.27-7.20) FV and SSB (aOR = 3.01, P < 0.01, CI:1.65-5.51). Individuals who reported using a food bank were more likely to report increased consumption of frozen (aOR = 2.14, P < 0.05, CI:1.22-3.76) and canned FV (aOR = 2.91, P < 0.01, CI:1.69-4.99).

Shifts in food acquisition factors were associated with changes in diet. Findings demonstrate the need for more robust food assistance programs that specifically focus on all dimensions of food security.

This study investigates the links between dietary diversity, food insecurity and mental health (depression and anxiety) in adolescents from rural Pakistan. Adolescence is a critical time for developing mental health disorders, yet limited research exists on these issues in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The study included 1,396 adolescents (ages 9–15) and assessed their mental health, nutrition and maternal well-being. Depression and anxiety were measured using standardized questionnaires, while dietary diversity and food insecurity were evaluated through household assessments. Incidence rate ratios assessed the relationship between nutrition and mental health.

Results showed that 8.1% of boys and 10.2% of girls experienced depression, with anxiety rates ranging from 5.8% to 39.1%. Adolescents from households with higher dietary diversity had lower symptoms of depression and anxiety (IRRs:0.91–0.96), while those with higher food insecurity had increased symptoms (IRRs:1.24–1.86). Folate deficiency was associated with depressive symptoms, particularly in boys. Maternal mental health was observed to mediate the relationship between food insecurity and adolescent depression and anxiety.

The study highlights that improving maternal mental health and addressing nutritional deficiencies, particularly folate, may benefit adolescent well-being. Further research in other LMICs is needed to explore these associations and their mechanisms.

Young adulthood is a transitional period between childhood and adulthood characterised by unique stressors that increase the risk of food insecurity and poor mental health. This study examined the association between food insecurity and mental health outcomes among U.S. young adults aged 18–25.

A cross-sectional survey was completed by young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 years between January and April 2022. Key measures included food insecurity, perceived stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and insomnia. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were used to determine the prevalence of and associations between food insecurity and mental health outcomes, controlling for key demographic and social factors.

Online survey.

1630 U.S. young adults.

Among the analytic sample of 1041 young adults, nearly 70 % of participants identified as being food insecure in the last year. Participants reported moderate to high levels of perceived stress, anxiety, depressive symptoms and insomnia. Food insecurity was positively associated with each mental health outcome including perceived stress (β = 2·28, P< 0·01), anxiety (β = 2·84, P< 0·01), depressive symptoms (β = 2·74, P< 0·01) and insomnia (β = 1·28, P< 0·01) after controlling for all other factors.

Food insecurity is associated with mental health problems among young adults. Future efforts should explore the directionality of this relationship to determine if food insecurity initiates or exacerbates poor mental health outcomes or if poor mental health contributes to food insecurity. Interventions to improve food security status may also help support mental health among young adults.

In the United States, roughly one million pregnancies occur every year from the misuse and discontinuation of oral contraceptives – which may be affected by an individual’s exposure to social determinants of health (SDOH). For those experiencing poorer SDOH, significant barriers may exist when family planning. Thus, our primary objective is to examine associations between domains of SDOH and contraceptive use as well as pregnancy intention using the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

A cross-sectional analysis of 2017 BRFSS was conducted using the SDOH module to examine differences in family planning. We used bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models to measure associations, via odd ratios, between SDOHs and contraceptive use and pregnancy intention controlling for other sociodemographic variables.

We found that individuals experiencing negative SDOH who reported running out of food (AOR: 0.65; CI: 0.50-0.86), were unable to afford balanced meals (AOR: 0.64; CI:0.49-0.84), or had no money left at the end of the month (AOR: 0.45; CI: 0.32-0.64) were less likely to have used contraceptive methods compared to those not experiencing challenges within these SDOH domains. Among women not utilizing contraceptive methods, individuals not intending to get pregnant were more likely to report difficulty affording balanced meals or having financial stability compared to women attempting to become pregnant.

Our study found that the SDOH domains of monthly financial instability and food insecurity are significantly associated with women not using contraceptive measures but not wanting to become pregnant. Addressing barriers to contraceptive access and FP is becoming more important with shifting policies regarding women’s reproductive healthcare. For women seeking contraceptive and FP advice, increased funding may help provide a solution.

Food insecurity (FI) in the higher education setting is a pressing social justice and public health nutrition issue. Persistent FI rates among students suggest that the current programmes and institutional policies are inadequate. Engaging the community in co-design practices can enhance research and decision-making, leading to more targeted advocacy and solutions. This review describes and evaluates evidence of co-design approaches and identifies strategies for addressing FI in higher education settings.

A review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Literature was searched in three electronic databases (Scopus, Ovid MEDLINE and Web of Science) and two search engines (Google and Google Scholar).

Only studies based in higher education settings were included.

Higher education students.

The search identified 814 studies, of which twenty-eight met the inclusion criteria. Studies involving co-design and participatory research frameworks had higher participation, leading to increased student awareness of FI, student leadership and the development of campaigns and collaborative organisational structures. A content analysis approach identified seven categories for strategies targeting student FI: (1) policy and institutional support; (2) strategic partnerships (3) advocacy and awareness; (4) initiatives for student engagement; (5) student skills and knowledge development; (6) programme development and (7) campus food environment.

Co-designed research methodologies are important for addressing student FI, enhancing advocacy and understanding stakeholder needs. Future studies should prioritise collaborative approaches when exploring solutions to FI and similar social justice issues affecting students.

Explore the relationship between water insecurity (WI) and food security and their covariates in Mexican households.

A cross-sectional study with nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey-Continuous 2021 (in Spanish, ENSANUT-Continua 2021), collected data from 12 619 households.

WI was measured using the Household Water Insecurity Experiences (HWISE) Scale in Spanish and adapted to the Mexican context. Food security was measured using the Latin American and Caribbean Food Security Scale. A generalised path model was used to produce two simultaneous logistical regression equations – WI (HWISE ≥ 12) and moderate-to-severe food insecurity (FI) – to understand key covariates as well as the contribution of WI to FI.

The head of the household, an adult of >18 years of age, consented to participate in the survey.

Households experiencing WI were more likely to experience moderate-to-severe FI (OR = 2·35; 95 % CI: 2·02, 2·72). The odds of WI were lower in households with medium (OR = 0·74; 95 % CI: 0·61, 0·9) to high (OR = 0·45; 95 % CI: 0·37, 0·55) asset scores. WI also depended on the region of Mexico. FI is more prevalent in indigenous people (OR = 1·29; 95 % CI: 1·05, 1·59) and rural households (OR = 0·42; 95 % CI: 1·16, 1·73). Notably, wealth and household size did not contribute directly to FI but did so indirectly through the mediating factor of WI.

Our study shows that there are structural factors that form part of the varied determinants of WI, which in turn is closely linked to FI.

Free school meals (FSM) are a crucial form of support for families. This study aimed to investigate whether the FSM allowance can provide what is perceived to be, healthy, sustainable and satisfying food.

A mixed methods study incorporating co-production, citizen science and participatory approaches was conducted. Citizen scientists were given a daily budget equivalent to the FSM allowance and asked to purchase a ‘tasty, healthy and sustainable’ school lunch for a week. Alongside keeping records of available and purchased foods, young people engaged in focus groups to capture information on perceptions of food offered and FSM allowance adequacy.

Secondary schools in Yorkshire, UK.

Citizen scientists (n 42) aged 11–15 years across seven schools.

Obstacles were faced in obtaining sustainable and healthful meals when restricted to an FSM allowance. Reasons included restrictions in what could be purchased due to costs, limitations in the use of allowances that restricted breaktime purchases leading to hunger, inadequate portion sizes, systemic barriers like hurried lunch breaks that encourage ‘grab and go’ options and broken water fountains that led students to purchase bottled drinks. Findings were reinforced by descriptive food record data.

Our findings suggest that schools would benefit from national policies to address the lack of funding, infrastructure issues and capacity to support optimal provision of food to those on FSM as well as provide greater flexibility in how pupils use their allowance. Young people verified these findings, which they presented to policymakers at a parliamentary event.