Adverse consequences related to unresolved mental health issues underscore the importance of identifying factors that impede resolution of mental health conditions. Although studies have identified food insecurity as a risk factor for the diagnosis of mental health conditions, its impact on unresolved mental health issues is not understood. The objective of this study is to investigate the association of food insecurity status with resolution of depression, anxiety, and behavioral/conduct problems in children and adolescents.

Using National Survey of Children's Health 2016 to 2019, logistic regression analyses examined the relationship of food insecurity status with the diagnosis and resolution of depression, anxiety, and behavioral/conduct problems in children (aged 5–11 years) and adolescents (aged 12–17 years).

Mild, moderate, and severe food insecurity were significantly associated with higher odds of being diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and behavioral/conduct problems. Severe food insecurity was significantly associated with higher odds of unresolved behavioral/conduct problems in children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 10.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.99–34.04), after adjustment for demographic covariates. In adolescents, severe food insecurity was significantly related to greater odds of unresolved depression (aOR, 6.64; 95% CI, 2.13–20.70), anxiety (aOR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.31–8.14), and behavioral/conduct problems (aOR, 5.57; 95% CI, 2.09–14.85). These associations of severe food insecurity with unresolved mental health conditions were significant even after adjustment for the receipt of mental health care. Mild and moderate food insecurity were not significantly associated with unresolved mental health conditions.

The findings suggest that severe food insecurity is associated with increased odds of unresolved mental health conditions in children and adolescents. This study highlights the importance of tailoring interventions to provide appropriate mental health services for children and adolescents from severely food insecure households.