The Mental Cost of Food Insecurity among LGBTQ plus Americans

This study employs insights from food justice scholarship to develop a theoretical framework aimed at comprehending the intersections of food insecurity and mental health disparities within LGBTQ + populations. The framework is empirically tested and refined, drawing upon data from a nationally representative sample of 63,190 respondents from the 2022 Household Pulse Survey. This sample includes 40% cisgender men, 58% cisgender women, and 2% transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals, with 10% identifying as non-heterosexual and 90% as heterosexual. Two distinct pathways are proposed and examined through data analysis. The first pathway reveals that LGBTQ + populations exhibit a higher prevalence of mental health challenges compared to their non-LGBTQ + counterparts. The findings also unveil nuanced mental health dynamics within LGBTQ + communities, with TGNC individuals and bisexual people demonstrating a higher susceptibility to mental health challenges. The second pathway underscores that food injustice amplifies pre-existing mental health disparities within LGBTQ + communities, particularly evident in TGNC individuals who exhibit the most significant rise in depression and anxiety disorders when facing food insecurity. Findings from this study underscore the urgent need for further research and proactive responses to comprehensively address the food inequities experienced by LGBTQ + communities. It is imperative to address the underlying discrimination and stigma that perpetuate these disparities through targeted efforts, including policy initiatives, community action initiatives, and educational programs.