Report on the Impact of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Resilience in the United States

Introduction

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 13.5% of American households experienced food insecurity at some point during 2023, equating to 18 million families lacking sufficient food to meet their needs. This report examines recent research conducted by Binghamton University, State University of New York, focusing on the relationship between diet quality, food insecurity, mental health, and resilience, with a strong emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Research Overview

Associate Professor Lina Begdache, PhD, along with Assistant Professor Melissa Zeynep Ertem and their team, analyzed survey data from 1,099 participants, 70% of whom were under 30 years old. Their study, published in Health Science Reports, investigated how food insecurity and diet quality influence resilience, stress mindset, and mental distress across different age groups and genders.

Key Findings

1. Food Insecurity and Resilience:
   • Hardship alone can build resilience; however, hardship combined with low-quality diet fails to enhance resilience.
   • This finding is novel and highlights the critical role of nutrition in psychological resilience.
2. Stress Mindset and Personality Traits:
   • Food insecurity did not significantly affect participants’ stress mindset.
   • Positive thinking and happiness appeared more related to individual personality traits than diet quality.
3. Exercise and Neurobehavioral Health:
   • Regular physical activity was strongly associated with improved stress mindset and resilience.
   • Exercise modulates brain chemistry, contributing to better mental health outcomes.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – The research underscores the importance of ensuring access to nutritious food to combat food insecurity and support mental well-being.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Findings emphasize the need for integrated approaches combining diet quality and physical activity to enhance psychological resilience and reduce mental distress.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Addressing food insecurity, especially among vulnerable young adults post-pandemic, is crucial to reducing health disparities.

Policy Context and Future Directions

Assistant Professor Ertem highlighted the significance of evaluating American food policies following the COVID-19 pandemic. Government programs such as the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer and enhanced SNAP benefits provided temporary relief to vulnerable populations, but many of these incentives ended in 2023.

Key policy considerations include:

• Assessing the long-term effects of food insecurity on young adults after the cessation of pandemic-related benefits.
• Promoting dietary improvements aligned with evidence-based models like the Mediterranean diet, which is linked to increased resilience and mental health benefits.
• Encouraging regular exercise as a complementary strategy to improve mental health outcomes.

Conclusion

This research provides critical insights into how food insecurity and diet quality influence mental health and resilience, with broader implications for public health and social equity. By aligning interventions with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2, SDG 3, and SDG 10, policymakers and health professionals can better address the intertwined challenges of nutrition, mental health, and social vulnerability.

References

• Begdache, L., et al. (2025). The Interplay of Food Insecurity, Resilience, Stress Mindset, and Mental Distress: Insights From a Cross‐Sectional Study. Health Science Reports. doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.70787
• Binghamton University. https://www.binghamton.edu/

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses food insecurity affecting 13.5% of American households, highlighting issues of hunger and access to nutritious food.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The research focuses on the impact of diet and food insecurity on mental health, resilience, stress mindset, and overall well-being.
   • Exercise and its positive effects on brain chemistry and mental health are also discussed.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article touches on vulnerable populations receiving government food assistance and the implications of the removal of such benefits.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
   • Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunted and wasted children and addressing nutritional needs of vulnerable populations.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including mental health disorders.
   • Target 3.6: Reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution, indirectly related to diet and lifestyle.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
   • Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws and policies.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Food Insecurity Rate
   • The article cites that 13.5% of American households experienced food insecurity in 2023, implying the use of food insecurity prevalence as an indicator.
2. Mental Health and Resilience Measures
   • Survey data assessing resilience, stress mindset, and mental distress among participants are used to measure mental well-being.
   • Exercise frequency and activity levels as factors influencing mental health are also measured.
3. Access to Food Assistance Programs
   • References to government food assistance programs (e.g., Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer, SNAP benefits) imply indicators related to social protection coverage and support for vulnerable populations.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: news-medical.net