Nourishing the Mind: How Food Security Influences Mental Wellbeing
Food insecurity is a significant public health problem worldwide and critical to mental health. There is a complex relationship between food security and mental health. We carried out a narrative review study aiming to address how food insecurity impacts mental wellbeing by focusing on the mental he...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/4/501 |
| _version_ | 1797297339749105664 |
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| author | Ovinuchi Ejiohuo Helen Onyeaka Kingsley C. Unegbu Obinna G. Chikezie Omowale A. Odeyemi Adebola Lawal Olumide A. Odeyemi |
| author_facet | Ovinuchi Ejiohuo Helen Onyeaka Kingsley C. Unegbu Obinna G. Chikezie Omowale A. Odeyemi Adebola Lawal Olumide A. Odeyemi |
| author_sort | Ovinuchi Ejiohuo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Food insecurity is a significant public health problem worldwide and critical to mental health. There is a complex relationship between food security and mental health. We carried out a narrative review study aiming to address how food insecurity impacts mental wellbeing by focusing on the mental health repercussions of food insecurity, recognizing its pivotal role in attaining Sustainable Development Goals 2 (on hunger) and 3 (on enhancing global wellbeing). A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar, incorporating Google searches for pertinent reports and policy documents. To address these questions, we emphasized and elucidated the interconnectedness between food security and mental health. The review shows that food security and mental health share a profound relationship influenced by multifaceted factors like socioeconomic conditions, access to nutritious food, and societal inequalities. We then provide recommendations for integrating food security into mental health strategies based on the insights and conclusions drawn. Strategies ranging from sustainable farming practices to urban agriculture initiatives and digital mental health services demonstrate avenues for enhancing food safety and mental wellbeing. This highlights the need for collaborative interdisciplinary efforts and systemic reforms to address these interconnected challenges. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:19:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7972e90a6dfa473bb115e2e8e21a96fb |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T22:19:11Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-7972e90a6dfa473bb115e2e8e21a96fb2024-02-23T15:29:52ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432024-02-0116450110.3390/nu16040501Nourishing the Mind: How Food Security Influences Mental WellbeingOvinuchi Ejiohuo0Helen Onyeaka1Kingsley C. Unegbu2Obinna G. Chikezie3Omowale A. Odeyemi4Adebola Lawal5Olumide A. Odeyemi6Department of Psychiatric Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, PolandSchool of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UKDepartment of Vegetable Crops, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-594 Poznan, PolandDepartment of Seed Science and Technology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 62-081 Poznan, PolandCollege of Nursing, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile Ife 220005, Osun, NigeriaHospital Management Board, Government House and Protocol Clinic, Akure 340283, Ondo, NigeriaOffice of Research Services, Research Division, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, AustraliaFood insecurity is a significant public health problem worldwide and critical to mental health. There is a complex relationship between food security and mental health. We carried out a narrative review study aiming to address how food insecurity impacts mental wellbeing by focusing on the mental health repercussions of food insecurity, recognizing its pivotal role in attaining Sustainable Development Goals 2 (on hunger) and 3 (on enhancing global wellbeing). A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar, incorporating Google searches for pertinent reports and policy documents. To address these questions, we emphasized and elucidated the interconnectedness between food security and mental health. The review shows that food security and mental health share a profound relationship influenced by multifaceted factors like socioeconomic conditions, access to nutritious food, and societal inequalities. We then provide recommendations for integrating food security into mental health strategies based on the insights and conclusions drawn. Strategies ranging from sustainable farming practices to urban agriculture initiatives and digital mental health services demonstrate avenues for enhancing food safety and mental wellbeing. This highlights the need for collaborative interdisciplinary efforts and systemic reforms to address these interconnected challenges.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/4/501food securityfood insecuritymental healthstressanxietydepression |
| spellingShingle | Ovinuchi Ejiohuo Helen Onyeaka Kingsley C. Unegbu Obinna G. Chikezie Omowale A. Odeyemi Adebola Lawal Olumide A. Odeyemi Nourishing the Mind: How Food Security Influences Mental Wellbeing Nutrients food security food insecurity mental health stress anxiety depression |
| title | Nourishing the Mind: How Food Security Influences Mental Wellbeing |
| title_full | Nourishing the Mind: How Food Security Influences Mental Wellbeing |
| title_fullStr | Nourishing the Mind: How Food Security Influences Mental Wellbeing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Nourishing the Mind: How Food Security Influences Mental Wellbeing |
| title_short | Nourishing the Mind: How Food Security Influences Mental Wellbeing |
| title_sort | nourishing the mind how food security influences mental wellbeing |
| topic | food security food insecurity mental health stress anxiety depression |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/4/501 |
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