The relations of food security with physical and mental health in Canada

Barrett, Tracy C. (Tracy Clarissa) (2011) The relations of food security with physical and mental health in Canada. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

The relations of food security with indicators of physical and mental health of 22, 247 Canadians aged birth to 71+ were examined using data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). Surprisingly, 43.2% of the food insecure population consisted of males, 19.6% were middle high income, and 41.9% graduated from post-secondary school. Food insecure adults, as compared to food secure adults, were more likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to drink alcohol. Food insecure children and adults were less likely to eat fruits and vegetables, more likely to report other long term physical or mental illnesses, perceive their physical and mental health as poor, perceive themselves as more stressed, were less satisfied with their lives, and felt less attached to their communities. The relationships between food security and measures of mental health were particularly robust.

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