Anxiety moderates the association between severity of food insecurity and sleep duration among young adults in food-insecure households

This study examined associations between food insecurity (FI) severity, anxiety symptoms, and sleep duration among young adults in food-insecure households. We hypothesized that more severe FI and higher anxiety would independently predict shorter sleep duration, and that anxiety would amplify the FI-sleep duration relationship. Analysis was conducted on a subsample (n = 96) of the EAT 2010-2018 young adult cohort. Participants completed the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and sleep assessment items. Linear regression models, controlling for demographics, showed that increased anxiety symptoms were associated with decreased sleep duration (p < .001), while FI severity was not significantly associated. A synergistic interaction between FI severity and anxiety (p = .04) revealed that individuals with severe FI and high anxiety had the shortest sleep duration. Results suggest that people struggling with both FI and anxiety may be at high risk of short sleep. Future interventions for individuals with FI should consider anxiety's role in influencing sleep disturbance.