Nutrition and Nerves: Unveiling the Psychological Impact of Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a nutritional state that influences diet and body weight, but it also

holds consequences for psychological wellbeing.

Facing hunger can be stressful. Constantly worrying about where your next meal will

come from can cause mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (National Institute of Health.)

Many research studies have “demonstrated a significant link between food insecurity and increased risks of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. (Research by D.J. Arenas, Thomas Wang, and H.M. DeLisser reported in The Journal of General Medicine.)

Millions of children in the U.S. live with hunger, and many people are often unaware that

children regularly go hungry in their own neighborhoods, schools, and cities. A child who

experiences hunger will inevitably face challenges in school, but it can also impact their

learning and development long before their first day of kindergarten.  (Share Our

Strength report “No Kid Hungry”)

Lee Hay

Food Cupboard Director