Navigating the Nexus of Food Insecurity, Anxiety, and Depression in the Face of Climate Change: A Longitudinal Study in Rural Kenya

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the temporal relationships between food insecurity, anxiety, and depression among adult participants in a community-based empowerment program in Meru County, Kenya. Methods: A cross-lagged panel analysis was conducted using data from 362 adult participants in a community-based empowerment program in Meru County, Kenya. Participants completed self-report measures of food insecurity, anxiety, and depression at two-time points, 11 weeks apart. Results: Food insecurity (T1) predicted subsequent anxiety and depression (T2), controlling for within-variable, within-time, and control-variable correlations. Village-level food insecurity (T1) was correlated with significantly higher anxiety (T2). Additionally, anxiety (T1) predicted higher subsequent food insecurity (T2). Conclusion: Food insecurity and anxiety have a complex bidirectional relationship. Interventions that address food security, mental health, and the psychosocial factors that promote adaptation to food-insecure environments are essential for promoting the well-being of individuals and communities in the face of climate change.