Global study links nutrition insecurity to increased mental health decline during COVID-19

03 Nov 2023 --- The disturbance of food security, alongside other pandemic stressors brought forward during COVID-19, has resulted in increased prevalence of mental health issues among the general population in eight countries that differ culturally, geographically and economically.

Researchers at the Boston University School of Public Health collected survey responses from people in Brazil, China, Germany, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and the US from September to November 2020.

Both social and economic stressors contributed to a greater likelihood of developing PTSD in all countries evaluated, particularly among people who experienced difficulty obtaining food. “These findings underscore the importance for policymakers to integrate mental health considerations in their response to disease outbreaks,” says lead author Dr. Salma Abdalla, assistant professor of global health and epidemiology at the Boston University School of Public Health. 

The data set developed was used in two articles recently published in the journals ScienceDirect and Springer Link.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder rates 
Out of 8,754 respondents, 29% reported experiencing symptoms of depression, while 5% exhibited probable PTSD. Egypt had the highest prevalence of depression symptoms at 41 percent, whereas the US had the lowest at 25%. In terms of people likely to have PTSD, Brazil had the highest prevalence at 7.3%, while China had the lowest at 1.2%. The results point to the need for researchers and policymakers to conduct localized assessments on food security and mental health, experts argue.

Having a higher income was generally associated with a higher prevalence of depression symptoms, while the opposite was true for PTSD symptoms. However, these symptoms varied within each country, emphasizing the importance of considering specific contextual factors.

“Additionally, the results highlight the imperative for researchers and policymakers to conduct localized assessments to understand and address the specific forces contributing to the mental health burden,” notes Abdalla. 

Difficulty obtaining food was a particularly significant contributor to depression and PTSD. Individuals who experienced shortages in food or supplies were three times more likely to have probable PTSD compared to those who experienced no disruptions.

Policy focus on mental health needed 
The researchers involved in collecting the data emphasize the crucial need to incorporate mental health considerations into policymaking, particularly during epidemics. 

Implementing localized assessments and comprehensive safety net policies, which encompass financial support and resources to tackle issues such as food insecurity and unemployment, is essential for alleviating the detrimental mental health impacts linked to social determinants of ill health.

The authors further state that even years after the start of the pandemic, many people around the world still face challenges related to food insecurity and unemployment. Addressing these issues through interventions such as mental health screenings and supportive policies has been outlined as necessary.

“Existing government welfare policies even before the pandemic, as well as other contextual factors, play a factor in how social determinants of health disruptions contributed to adverse mental health outcomes,” Abdalla says. “Future work should focus on these contextual factors.” 

By Milana Nikolova