The Association Between Food Insecurity, Diet Satisfaction, Mental Health and Physical Health Among Australian Adults: A Cross‐Sectional Survey

作者：Lillian Patterson, Ami Seivwright, Denis Visentin, Elizabeth Lester, Sandra Murray, Katherine Kent · 发表于：Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1111/jhn.70278 · 研究领域：Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations、Food Waste Reduction and Sustainability、COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts

AIM: Food insecurity has been shown to compromise diet and lead to poorer mental and physical health outcomes. However, evidence in the Australian context remains limited. This study explored associations between food insecurity and self-rated diet satisfaction, mental and physical health among Australian adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of Australian adults ( ≥ 18 years) residing in Tasmania was conducted between December 2023 and January 2024. Food insecurity was assessed using the 18-item US Household Food Security Survey Module. Participants were classified as food secure (score = 0), or food insecure (score = 1 +). Self-rated diet satisfaction, mental and physical health were assessed using five-point Likert scales, collapsed to binary variables (excellent-good and fair-poor health, satisfied or dissatisfied with diet). Multivariate binary logistic regression, adjusting for relevant sociodemographic factors explored associations. RESULTS: Of participants (n = 869, 73.4% female, 64.3% university education), 29.2% experienced food insecurity, 29.6% reported fair-poor mental health, 26.4% reported fair-poor physical health and 19.7% reported diet dissatisfaction. In multivariate models, a stepwise pattern was observed, with food insecurity showing the strongest association with diet dissatisfaction (AOR: 4.4; SE: 1.5; [95% CI: 2.9-6.5]); followed by fair-poor mental health (AOR: 2.6; SE: 0.2; [95% CI: 1.8-3.9]); and fair-poor physical health (AOR: 1.6; SE: 0.2; [95...