Household food insecurity is associated with depressive symptoms in the Canadian adult population

Indigenous Identity and Household Food Insecurity are Associated with Poor Health Outcomes in Canada

Purpose: To examine whether Indigenous identity and food insecurity combined were associated with self-reported poor health.Methods: Data from the 2015-2016 Canadian Community Health Survey and multiple logistic regression were employed to evaluate the association between Indigenous identity, household food insecurity, and health outcomes, adjusted for individual and household covariates. The Alexander Research Committee in Alexander First Nation (Treaty 6) reviewed the manuscript and commented on the interpretation of study findings.Results: Data were from 59082 adults (3756 Indigenous). The prevalence of household food insecurity was 26.3% for Indigenous adults and 9.8% for non-Indigenous adults (weighted to the Canadian population). Food-secure Indigenous adults, food-insecure non-Indigenous adults, and food-insecure Indigenous adults had significantly (p < 0.001) greater odds of poor health outcomes than food-secure non-Indigenous adults (referent group). Food-insecure Indigenous adults had 1.96 [95% CI:1.53,2.52], 3.73 [95% CI: 2.95,4.72], 3.00 [95% CI:2.37,3.79], and 3.94 [95% CI:3.02,5.14] greater odds of a chronic health condition, a chronic mental health disorder, poor general health, and poor mental health, respectively, compared to food-secure non-Indigenous adults.Conclusions: Health policy decisions and programs should focus on food security initiatives for all Canadians, including addressing the unique challenges of Indigenous communities, irrespective of their food security status.

Connecting families: a qualitative study examining the experiences of parenting young children under financial strain in Ontario, Canada

BACKGROUND

There is little research investigating the subjective experiences of parenting young children while living in poverty and experiencing financial strain using qualitative methodologies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to employ a qualitative approach to provide a nuanced and balanced view on the topic of parenting young children under financial strain in the Canadian context.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews between July and August 2021 in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Sixteen participants aged 20-39 self-identified as living under financial strain while parenting a child aged 2-5 years. A qualitative inductive thematic analysis was undertaken with a focus on describing the contents of the data.

RESULTS

Four major themes emerged from the data: experience of being a parent, impact of financial strain on the family unit, impact of financial strain on the children, and impact of financial strain on the parent. Numerous deleterious physical, mental, and material impacts on the family unit and parent were identified, however parent-perceived impacts of financial strain on their children were minimal. Parents described striking levels of resourcefulness and resiliency in providing the necessities for their families, absorbing the most significant impacts of financial strain through the phenomenon of self-sacrifice.

CONCLUSION

The impacts of financial strain on families with young children are far reaching. Further research into the impacts of self-sacrifice on parents experiencing financial strain are needed to better understand this issue, and to inform social programming and resources that could help alleviate the deleterious impacts of poverty on parent mental, social, and physical health.

The association of the quality of life with Afghan households' food insecurity before and after the recent political change in Afghanistan: a comparative analysis

The overreaching objective of the current study is to investigate the association of quality of life with Afghan households' food insecurity. The data was collected immediately after the Taliban took control of a large part of Afghanistan. About a total of 555 households' heads participated in a face-to-face interview, using the HFIAS and WHOQOL-100 questionnaires along with some questions related to their socioeconomic characteristics at two different times, before and after the Taliban's takeover. The comparative analysis showed that 98% of Afghan households were food insecure after the Taliban takeover, while 70% of them faced food insecurity before the Taliban's takeover. The quality of life in the Taliban era is worse than before the Taliban. All dimensions of quality of life have decreased, and this decrease was more pronounced for the psychological, environmental, and physical domains. It is recommended that international organizations, NGOs, and local agents focus on these dimensions of the quality of life to improve food security.

Exploring the Implications of COVID-19 on Food Security and Coping Strategies among Urban Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan, Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic has notably impacted food security, especially among urban Indigenous communities. This study aimed to examine the impact of the pandemic and related lockdown measures on the food security of urban Indigenous peoples in Saskatchewan, Canada. In partnership with Indigenous co-researchers, we designed an online survey disseminated via SurveyMonkey® (San Mateo, CA, USA) from August 2021 to August 2022. This survey detailed background information, the Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), state of food access, and traditional food consumption habits. Of the 130 Indigenous respondents, 75.8% were female, 21.9% male, and 2.3% non-binary, with an average age of 36.2 years. A significant 68.4% experienced food insecurity during the pandemic's first four months. Increased food prices (47.1%) and reduced market availability (41.4%) were the dominant causes. Additionally, 41.8% highlighted challenges in accessing traditional foods. Relying on community resources and government food distribution programs (40.7%) was the most reported coping strategy for those experiencing food insecurity. Notably, 43.6% reported receiving no government financial support during the crisis. This study emphasizes the severe food insecurity among urban Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan during the pandemic. The findings highlight the immediate need for interventions and policies that ensure access to culturally relevant food, especially for future crises.

The Pathways study: a cohort study of new food-aid users in rural, semi urban, and urban areas of Quebec, Canada

BACKGROUND

While considerable research has been conducted on household food insecurity (HFI), little research has examined the effects of food donation programs on users' living conditions. The Pathways study was established to investigate the long-term effects of food donation programs on food insecurity as well as other critical outcomes, such as diet, health, and social support. Herein, we describe the design of the Pathways Study and the participants' characteristics at baseline.

METHODS

The Pathways study is a prospective cohort study of 1001 food-aid users in Quebec (Canada). We recruited newly registered users of food donation programs from 106 community-based food-aid organizations that partnered with the study. Baseline data were collected through face-to-face interviews from September 2018 to January 2020, with planned follow-up interviews at 12 and 24 months after enrollment. Household food insecurity, diet, food competencies, food shopping behaviors, perceived food environment, health status, social support and isolation, sociodemographic characteristics, housing conditions, negative life events, and the impacts of COVID-19 were assessed with validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

The cohort included 1001 participants living in rural (n = 181), semi-urban (n = 250), and urban areas (n = 570). Overall, household food insecurity was reported as severe among 46.2% and moderate in 36.9% of participants. Severe household food insecurity was more prevalent in rural (51.4%) and urban (47.8%) areas compared to semi-urban (39%) areas. Overall, 76.1% of participants reported an annual income below C$20,000. Half (52%) had low education levels (high school or lower), 22.0% lived in single-parent households, and 52.1% lived alone. Most (62.9%) experienced at least one major financial crisis in the preceding year.

CONCLUSIONS

Results show that newly registered users of food donation programs often have low-income and severe food insecurity, with major differences across geographical locations. The Pathways study is the first study designed to follow, over a 2-year period, a cohort of newly registered users of food donation programs and to quantify their trajectories of service use. Findings from the Pathways study might help adapt the community response to the strategies used by food-insecure households to feed themselves.

Food insecurity is associated with an unhealthy lifestyle score in middle- and older-aged adults: findings from the EPIPorto cohort

The association of food insecurity with the combined effect of lifestyles is still limited. This study evaluated the association between food insecurity and a lifestyle score in middle- and older-aged adults. A cross-sectional study (2013-2016) was performed among 595 individuals (≥ 50 years) from the EPIPorto cohort (Porto, Portugal). Food security status was assessed using the US Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. Information on fruit and vegetable consumption (F&V), physical activity (PA) practice, tobacco smoking, and alcohol consumption were included in a lifestyle score. Those with F&V < five portions/day, < 150 min/week of moderate-intensity PA or < 75 min/week of vigorous-intensity PA, current smokers, consumers of > one drink of alcoholic beverages in women, and > two in men were assigned with one point; all the others had nil points. The score could range from 0 to 4, and was further categorised into three categories. Food insecurity was positively associated with an unhealthy lifestyle profile (OR = 2.272; 95%CI:1.079-4.782), independently of the adjustment variables. Analysing each lifestyle component, food insecurity was associated with low PA practice (OR = 2.365; 95%CI:1.020-5.485). Individuals from food insecure households were more likely to have an unhealthy lifestyle profile. Public health strategies should be developed among food insecure individuals to promote healthy lifestyles.

Food Security Status of Indigenous Peoples in Canada According to the 4 Pillars of Food Security: A Scoping Review

Food insecurity is a significant public health problem for Indigenous peoples in Canada. A comprehensive literature review is needed to organize the evidence according to the 4 pillars of food security (i.e., availability, access, utilization, and stability) and identify gaps in the published literature on this topic. Therefore, in this scoping review we aimed to summarize the published research discussing any of the 4 pillars of food security among Indigenous peoples in Canada. We conducted a literature search of the following databases: Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science (Web of Knowledge), and CINAHL, as well as the Indigenous Studies Portal (up to June 19, 2021). Population-based studies of any design were included, except for review-style articles. Articles published in languages other than English were also excluded. Of the 4687 studies identified by the database searches, 91 met our inclusion criteria. Evidence from these studies indicates that all dimensions of food security among Indigenous peoples in Canada have been impacted. Lack of availability of both traditional and market foods is highlighted among Inuit and First Nation communities. Economic disadvantages, high food prices, and lack of access to transportation are major factors affecting the accessibility pillar of food security. Major factors affecting the utilization pillar of food security are the loss of traditional knowledge and skills, lack of knowledge on market foods, low quality of market foods, and food safety issues. Climate change has affected all 4 pillars of food security among Indigenous peoples. These findings suggest that resolving food insecurity issues among Indigenous peoples in Canada, especially those living in remote communities, requires a culturally specific integrated approach targeting food availability, food cost, food knowledge, food safety, and food quality.

Food worry and mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background

There is limited and inconsistent literature examining the relationship between food worry and mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the association between food worry and mental health among community dwelling Canadian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Adults age 16 years and older completed an anonymous online questionnaire between April 1, 2020 and November 30 2020. Measures of pre-pandemic and current food worry, depression (PHQ-2), anxiety (GAD-2), and sociodemographic variables were included. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine the association between food worry and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Results

In total, 1605 participants were included in analyses. Worry about affording food was reported by 320 (14.78%) participants. In models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, compared with people without food worry, participants who had food worry were 2.07 times more likely to report anxiety symptoms (aOR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.43 – 2.98, p < .001) and were 1.9 times more likely to report depressive symptoms (aOR 1.89, 95% CI: 1.39–2.57, p < .0001). Lower income, lower education, and pre-existing mental health conditions were significant predictors of symptoms of depression. Female gender, younger age, lower education, lower income, and pre-existing mental health condition were significant predictors of anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion

Our study highlights the relationship between food worry and poor mental health. Policy supports such as improved income supports, clinical implications such as screening for food worry in primary care, referral to emergency food programs and support with meal planning may help mitigate mental health symptoms during the current pandemic, during future societal recovery from this pandemic and during future pandemics.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-13410-7.

"Food Is Our Love Language": Using Talanoa to Conceptualize Food Security for the Māori and Pasifika Diaspora in South-East Queensland, Australia

Queensland is home to the largest diaspora of Māori and Pasifika peoples in Australia. They form an understudied population concerning experiences and challenges of food insecurity. This community co-designed research aims to explore the conceptualization of household food security by Māori and Pasifika peoples living in south-east Queensland. Participatory action research and talanoa were used to collect and analyse forty interviews with leaders representing 22 Māori and Pasifika cultural identities in south-east Queensland. Eight key themes emerged that conceptualise food security as an integral part of the culture and holistic health. These themes included: spirituality, identity, hospitality and reciprocity, stigma and shame, expectations and obligations, physical and mental health and barriers and solutions. Addressing food insecurity for collectivist cultures such as Māori and Pasifika peoples requires embracing food sovereignty approaches for improved food security through the co-design of practical solutions that impact social determinants and strengthen existing networks to produce and distribute affordable and nutritious food.

Risk factors of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic: The roles of coping style and emotional regulation

BACKGROUND

When COVID-19 emerged in China in late 2019, most citizens were home-quarantined to prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Extended periods of isolation have detrimental effects on an individual's mental health. Therefore, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic should include assessment of psychological distress and its known risk factors, including coping style and emotional regulation.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study surveyed 6,027 Chinese university students recruited from May 25, 2020 to June 10, 2020. In addition to sociodemographic information, participant data were collected using online versions of the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ), and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ).

RESULTS

The incidence of psychological distress was found to be 35.34%. Negative coping style and expressing panic about COVID-19 on social media were the most important predictors of psychological distress. In addition, being male, being a "left-behind child" or having a monthly household income lower than 5000 CNY or higher than 20,000 CNY were associated with higher psychological distress.

CONCLUSION

The psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic could be serious. Psychological interventions that reduce nervousness and negative coping style need to be made available to home-quarantined university students, especially those who are male, are "left-behind", have a monthly household income lower than 5000 CNY or higher than 20,000 CNY, or express panic on social media.

Food insecurity and brain health in adults: A systematic review

Food insecurity has been associated with adverse effects on physical health and well-being in both high and low-income countries, but effects on brain health are not clear. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the relationship between food insecurity and important brain health outcomes in adults including depression, stroke, cognitive impairment and dementia. Electronic databases were searched to find studies which investigated relations between food insecurity and predefined brain health outcomes. Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria for review of which 23 were conducted in high income countries and seven in low- or middle-income countries. Most studies (n = 24) were cross-sectional, five were prospective and 1 was a case-control design. Seven studies reporting outcomes relating to cognitive performance and 24 relating to depression. No studies investigated relations between food insecurity and stroke or dementia. There was substantial heterogeneity in the populations studied as well as measures of food insecurity and outcomes which made comparisons between studies difficult. Overall, the findings highlighted that individuals who were food insecure had increased likelihood of depressive symptoms and poorer global cognition than those who were food secure. It is possible that social support and food aid programmes attenuate the effects of food insecurity on depressive symptoms. Future research is needed to determine whether interventions to alleviate food insecurity can benefit brain health in vulnerable populations.

Yeast volatiles double starvation survival in Drosophila

Organisms make decisions based on the information they gather from their environment, the effects of which affect their fitness. Understanding how these interactions affect physiology may generate interventions that improve the length and quality of life. Here, we provide evidence that exposure to live yeast volatiles during starvation significantly extends survival, increases activity, and slows the rate of triacylglyceride (TAG) decline independent of canonical sensory perception. We demonstrate that ethanol (EtOH) is one of the active components in yeast volatiles that influences these phenotypes and that EtOH metabolites mediate dynamic mechanisms to promote Drosophila survival. Silencing R4d neurons reverses the ability of high EtOH concentrations to promote starvation survival, and their activation promotes EtOH metabolism. The transcription factor foxo promotes EtOH resistance, likely by protection from EtOH toxicity. Our results suggest that food-related cues recruit neural circuits and modulate stress signaling pathways to promote survival during starvation.