Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Connection Between Sleep Disorders and Cognitive Symptoms in Depression
Published on: April 26, 2024
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Disorders in US Adults with Food Insecurity
Daniel J Arenas1,2, Arthur Thomas1,2, JiCi Wang2,3
1Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Introduction:
A large number of peer-reviewed studies, with various methodologies and populations, have addressed the effects of food insecurity (FIS) on mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. There are currently, however, no published systematic assessments or meta-analyses of this literature.
Methods:
A systematic search of the literature was conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. Cross-sectional studies assessing the association between food insecurity and depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders were identified. For each of the three health outcomes, we extracted (or calculated when possible) the following effect sizes: odds ratio (OR), Hedges' g, Pearson correlation coefficients r, or bivariate coefficients. Then, for each mental health-outcome/effect-size pair, the available studies were combined using the random effect model. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and subgroup dependence, for each meta-analysis, were also assessed.
Results:
Fifty-seven studies provided cross-sectional data on the relationship between FIS and depression (n = 169,433), 13 on anxiety and psychological distress (n = 91,957), and 8 studies provided data on sleep disorders (n = 85,788). Meta-analysis showed that FIS is associated with an increased risk of testing positive for depression OR = 2.74 [95% CI 2.52-2.97, n = 135,500, Q(df = 41) = 69, I2 = 40%], anxiety OR = 2.41 [95% CI 1.81-3.22, n = 51,541, Q(df = 3) = 8, I2 = 63%], and sleep disorders OR = 1.80 [95% CI 1.51-2.15, n = 84,800, Q(df = 5) = 13, I2 = 62%]. The highest risks were found for depression and anxiety which had statistically similar values. The results were robust to covariates and population groups.
Discussion:
This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates a strong association between FIS and depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders, for which more longitudinal studies addressing effect sizes are warranted to further study causation.
Related Concept Videos
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Social Anxiety Disorder
Depressive Disorders: Etiology
Biological Factors in Depression
Biological predispositions significantly influence the risk of developing depressive disorders. Genetic studies highlight the role of variations in the serotonin transporter...
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Depressive Disorders: MDD and Dysthymia

