The cultural and psychological impacts of food insecurity

Food insecurity continues to have a widespread impact nutritionally, psychologically, as well as culturally on a vast number of individuals throughout the world. A multitude of factors including but not limited to race, class, gender, and immigration status impact one’s likelihood to be on the spectrum of food insecurity. The concept of cultural food insecurity is closely intertwined, especially when considering the experiences of first and second generation immigrants (related to immigration status factor). This paper uses a biopsychosocial model to discuss phenomena related to food insecurity and cultural food insecurity, as well as how individuals, households, and communities cope. Furthermore, potential and applied solutions are discussed with commentary on what further research would be beneficial in this area.