Shuvo Suvasish Das, Mandal Ambika Charan, Khanum Lisa, Bashar Md Abu, Roy Deepa, Paul Dipak Kumar
Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
School of Medical, Indigenous, and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
BMJ Open. 2025 Aug 6;15(8):e096371. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096371.
This study aimed to investigate the association between food insecurity and dietary intake with anxiety and depression among residents of underserved urban settlements in Bangladesh.
This cross-sectional study was used to collect data from participants through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires. Food security status was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, while anxiety and depression levels were measured using the Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Dietary intake was evaluated through a 24-hour dietary recall and Food Frequency Questionnaire method.
Five districts located within the Khulna Division of Bangladesh.
Residents of underserved urban areas in Bangladesh (n=749), aged ≥18 years old.
Results indicated that 22.1%, 74.6% and 44.5% of participants experienced severe food insecurity, mild to moderate food insecurity and low Household Dietary Diversity Score, with a significant portion also showing symptoms of anxiety (57.1%) and depression (57.9%). Food insecurity and Household Dietary Diversity Score were found to be positively associated with both anxiety (p<0.05) and depression (p<0.05). Additionally, individuals who consumed roots and tubers, fruits, meats, fish and seafoods, as well as legumes, nuts and seeds, were significantly associated with a lower risk of anxiety and depression.
These findings highlight that food insecurity not only affects dietary habits but also exacerbates mental health outcomes. Addressing food insecurity and balanced dietary intake could therefore contribute to better mental health outcomes and overall well-being in underserved communities. Policymakers should prioritise comprehensive strategies that ensure access to nutritious foods and provide mental health support to vulnerable groups.
本研究旨在调查孟加拉国城市贫困地区居民的粮食不安全状况、饮食摄入与焦虑和抑郁之间的关联。
本横断面研究通过使用结构化问卷进行面对面访谈，从参与者那里收集数据。粮食安全状况使用家庭粮食不安全获取量表进行评估，而焦虑和抑郁水平分别使用广泛性焦虑障碍量表-7和患者健康问卷-9进行测量。饮食摄入通过24小时饮食回顾和食物频率问卷法进行评估。
孟加拉国库尔纳专区的五个区。
孟加拉国城市贫困地区年龄≥18岁的居民（n = 749）。
结果表明，22.1%、74.6%和44.5%的参与者经历了严重粮食不安全、轻度至中度粮食不安全以及低家庭饮食多样性得分，同时有很大一部分人还表现出焦虑症状（57.1%）和抑郁症状（57.9%）。发现粮食不安全和家庭饮食多样性得分与焦虑（p<0.05）和抑郁（p<0.05）均呈正相关。此外，食用块根类、水果、肉类、鱼类和海鲜以及豆类、坚果和种子的个体与焦虑和抑郁风险较低显著相关。
这些发现突出表明，粮食不安全不仅影响饮食习惯，还会加剧心理健康问题。因此，解决粮食不安全问题和均衡饮食摄入有助于改善贫困社区的心理健康状况和整体幸福感。政策制定者应优先考虑全面战略，确保获取营养食品，并为弱势群体提供心理健康支持。
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