Exploring Youth Mental Health and Addictions at the Intersection of Food Insecurity and Gender

Abstract

This chapter focuses on understanding the impact of food insecurity on mental health and addictions outcomes for male and female youth and young adults living in the Canadian province of Ontario. Statistics Canada's national population health survey, the Canadian Community Health Survey 2013, was used to determine estimated prevalence rates of household food security and insecurity status. Prevalence rates were compared between male and female youth living in food insecurity and those living in food security for the following four mental health and addictions outcomes: mood disorders, anxiety disorders, binge drinking, and cigarette smoking. A Social Determinants of Health and intersectionality lens was applied to this research project. Mental health and addictions are complex phenomena, and this study cuts across many critical intersections such as gender and low socioeconomic status. Food security status had a differential effect on male and female youth. The infographic summarizes the main findings from the prevalence rate analysis. Food insecurity impacts youth mental health differently across genders. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)