Association Between Food Security and Mental Health Outcomes in Vermont Youth: Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2023
Atake, Nanna
Atake, Nanna
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Abstract
Background: We examined the associations between food insecurity and mental health outcomes among Vermont adolescents and assessed associations between nutrition guideline adherence and mental health among food-insecure adolescents. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data. Food insecurity was our primary predictor variable. Outcomes included self-harm, suicide planning and attempts, and clinical anxiety. Binomial logistic regression models adjusted for grade, sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation or gender identity. Secondary analyses examined associations between fruit and vegetable guideline adherence and mental health outcomes among food-secure students. Results: 14,523 respondents were analyzed. There were significant associations between food insecurity and mental health outcomes, including creating a suicide plan (OR = 2.929, 95% CI: 2.493, 3.442) and attempting suicide (OR = 4.748, 95% CI: 3.975, 5.672). Secondary analyses among food-secure students demonstrated inconsistent associations between nutrition guideline adherence and mental health outcomes. Conclusions: Food insecurity was associated with adverse mental health outcomes among Vermont adolescents. Inclusion of food insecurity indicators in adolescent mental health surveillance may inform prevention strategies.
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Date
1/1/2026
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Graduate Student
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Poster
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Masters in Public Health
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Larner College of Medicine
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Social Science