Food insecurity patterns and mental health among youth and young adults with diabetes
Authors' conclusion
The study identified a previously unrecognized link between prolonged exposure to FI and increased incidence of mental health issues. Both persistent and intermittent FI were associated with adverse mental health symptoms in YYA with diabetes, more so for those with PFI. Subsequent research should prioritize interventions that address FI in this population to evaluate their effectiveness in enhancing both physical and psychological well-being. It should be designed to not only address FI, but also comprehensive support, including mental health services and education.
Study context
- Population
- Youth and young adults (YYAs) with youth-onset T1D (747) and T2D (97); food security by Household Food Security Survey Module747 T1D, 97 T2D
- Exposure
- Persistently food insecure (PFI) and intermittently food insecure (IFI) vs persistently food secure
- Outcome
- Symptoms of depression (CES-D), anxiety (GAD scale) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale), and changes from t2 to t3
- Follow-up
- T3
Methodological detailsthree time points (2016-2022), multivariable linear regression
- Three time points (2016-2022)
- Multivariable linear regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- T1D: PFI and IFI associated with greater depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms at t3 and increased symptoms over time
- T2D: PFI associated with greater depressive symptoms at t3 but not with changes over time
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Prevalence of food insecurity (FI) patterns
- PFI in T1D
- 6.6%
- PFI in T2D
- 16.5%
- IFI in T1D
- 20.3%
- IFI in T2D
- 42.3%
Original publication
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