The association between food insecurity and depressive symptoms severity among pregnant women differs by social support category: a cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, affect approximately 16% of pregnant women in low- and middle-income countries. Food insecurity (FI) has been shown to be associated with depressive symptoms. It has also been suggested that the association between FI and depressive symptoms is moderated by social support (SS); however, there is limited evidence of these associations among pregnant women living in low-income and middle-income countries. We studied the association between FI and depressive symptoms severity and assessed whether such an association varied among Ugandan pregnant women with low vs. high SS. Cross-sectional data were collected among 403 pregnant women in northern Uganda. SS was assessed using an eight-item version of the Duke-UNC functional SS scale. FI and depressive symptoms were assessed by, respectively, the individually focused FI scale and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale. Women were categorized into two SS groups, based on scoring < or ≥ to the median SS value. Multivariate linear regression models indicated an independent association between FI and depressive symptoms severity. The association between FI and depressive symptoms severity was moderated by SS i.e. was stronger among women in the low SS category (adjusted beta (95%CI): 0.91 (0.55; 1.27)) than for women belonging to the high SS group (0.53 (0.28; 0.78)) (adjusted p value for interaction = 0.026). There is need for longitudinal or interventional studies among pregnant women living in northern Uganda or similar contexts to examine the temporal sequence of the associations among food insecurity, depressive symptoms severity and social support. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Investigating tangible and mental resources as predictors of perceived household food insecurity during pregnancy among women in a South African birth cohort study

“…Conversely, food insecurity may give rise to depression or mental distress impeding a woman’s ability to obtain safe and nutritious food (Dewing et al, 2013; Piperata, Schmeer, Rodrigues, & Salazar Torres, 2016), creating a bidirectional relationship (Huddleston-Casas, Charnigo, & Simmons, 2009). This highlights the importance of addressing psychosocial factors during the critical time of pregnancy, not only for the mother’s well-being, but for infant outcomes associated with household food insecurity (Natamba et al, 2016). …”

Food insecurity, but not HIV-infection status, is associated with adverse changes in body composition during lactation in Ugandan women of mixed HIV status

“…Study procedures have been previously described (26,28,29). Briefly, women (n = 403) were invited to participate in PreNAPS if they met the following eligibility criteria: gestational age between 10 and 26 wk (assessed according to the last menstrual period), living #30 km of GRRH, and having a known HIV status.…”

Food insecurity and depressive symptoms in pregnant women with special reference to social support

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To the editors, Natamba et al (2016) conducted a cross-sectional study on the association between food insecurity (FI) and depressive symptoms severity in 403 pregnant women with different levels of social support (SS).The authors speculated that the association between FI and depressive symptoms was moderated by SS. SS was assessed by an eight-item version of the Duke-UNC functional SS scale, and depressive symptoms were assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale score.

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“…Food insecurity and depressive symptoms in pregnant women with special reference to social support To the editors, Natamba et al (2016) conducted a cross-sectional study on the association between food insecurity (FI) and depressive symptoms severity in 403 pregnant women with different levels of social support (SS).…”