Food Insecurity and Common Mental Disorders among Ethiopian Youth: Structural Equation Modeling.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although the consequences of food insecurity on physical health and nutritional status of youth living have been reported, its effect on their mental health remains less investigated in developing countries. The aim of this study was to examine the pathways through which food insecurity is associated with poor mental health status among youth living in Ethiopia.

Methods

We used data from Jimma Longitudinal Family Survey of Youth (JLFSY) collected in 2009/10. A total of 1,521 youth were included in the analysis. We measured food insecurity using a 5-items scale and common mental disorders using the 20-item Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Structural and generalized equation modeling using maximum likelihood estimation method was used to analyze the data.

R

SUBMITTER: Jebena MG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5113011 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature