Health Policy Manag.  2022 Jun;32(2):216-227. 10.4332/KJHPA.2022.32.2.216.

Association of Mental Health and Health-Related Quality of Life with Household Food Insecurity Status among a Representative Korean Population

• Kim YJ
• Park JE
• Kim SY
• Park JH

• KMID: 2534952
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2022.32.2.216

Abstract

Background
Food insecurity may contribute to mental health indicators such as stress, anxiety, or depression. We investigated whether food insecurity was associated with mental health indicators and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in a representative sample of the Korean population.
Methods
This study enrolled 12,987 adults without a history of medically serious disease from the 2012, 2013, and 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Household food security status was categorized as “food security,” “mild food insecurity,” and “moderate/severe food insecurity.” The association between mental health and HRQoL was evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression model with food security as the reference group.
Results
The adjusted odds ratio of adverse mental health or low HRQoL increased significantly in mild or moderate/severe food insecurity compared to food security. In the moderate/severe food insecurity group, it was 1.98% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31– 2.99) higher for perceived stress, 3.58% (95% CI, 2.44–5.26) higher for depression symptoms, 4.16% (95% CI, 2.68–6.45) higher for suicidal ideation, and 2.81% (95% CI, 1.91–4.15) higher for quality of life.
Conclusion
Food insecurity was strongly associated with negative mental health status and poor HRQoL. There is a need for a dietary support program that provides psychosocial support to those experiencing food insecurity.

Keyword

Household Food Security Survey Module; Food insecurity; Mental health; Quality of life; Korea