Food Security, Financial Resources, and Mental Health: Evidence during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nutrients. 2021 Dec 30;14(1):161. doi: 10.3390/nu14010161.

Abstract

COVID-19 has negatively impacted many households' financial well-being, food security, and mental health status. This paper investigates the role financial resources play in understanding the relationship between food security and mental health among U.S. households using data from a survey in June 2020. Results show job loss and savings draw down to pay for household bills had a significant relationship with both lower food security and greater numbers of poor mental health days during the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; financial resources; food insecurity; mental health.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / economics*
  • COVID-19 / psychology*
  • Female
  • Food Security / economics
  • Food Security / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Income / statistics & numerical data*
  • Male
  • Mental Health / economics
  • Mental Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • United States