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01-10-2011 | Original Paper

Food Insecurity and Mental Health: A Pilot Study of Patients in a Psychiatric Emergency Unit in Israel

Authors: Nimrod Grisaru, Roni Kaufman, Julia Mirsky, Eliezer Witztum

Published in: Community Mental Health Journal | Issue 5/2011

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine food insecurity among psychiatric patients and as a concern for mental health practitioners. Food security and psychological distress were measured among 113 patients hospitalized in a psychiatric emergency unit. Of 113 respondents 67 (59.3%) enjoyed food security and 46 (40.7%) lacked food security. Food insecure respondents showed a higher level of psychological distress than food secure respondents. A large proportion of in-patients may be suffering food insecurity which is negatively associated with their psychological well being. Mental health practitioners need to be aware of the potential association of food insecurity and mental distress among psychiatric patients.

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Title: Food Insecurity and Mental Health: A Pilot Study of Patients in a Psychiatric Emergency Unit in Israel
Authors: Nimrod Grisaru
Roni Kaufman
Julia Mirsky
Eliezer Witztum
Publication date: 01-10-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Community Mental Health Journal / Issue 5/2011
Print ISSN: 0010-3853
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2789
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-010-9339-8

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