Download

Download Full Text (504 KB)

Description

Food insecurity in the United States continues to be a persistent problem, as this household stressor has worsened in the past decade. The prevalence of food insecurity varies by demographic; however, income is a key factor when discussing food security status. One group experiencing food insecurity, but often overlooked when talking about solutions, is food service workers. This research sought to understand the impact of food insecurity on food service workers and their households. A literature review was conducted to gain a deeper understanding of the associations between food insecurity and physical health, mental health, household health, and occupational and economic stability. To further understand these associations, 22 studies were selected and analyzed. While there is a lack of research specifically on this group in the United States, some studies focusing on groups like food service workers from Brazil, Finland, and Italy were included. Much like other demographics who experience food insecurity, food service workers face consequences related to both mental and physical health. Food service workers and their families experience an increased risk of eating disorders, depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and chronic health risks. While additional research addressing this specific group is needed, effectively reducing the prevalence of food insecurity requires immediate reactive and long-term preventive solutions. Food assistance programs, food pantries, and free school meals are short-term solutions, and an increase in minimum wage, affordable housing, transportation support, and employment reforms will help decrease food insecurity in the long term.

Publisher Location

Las Vegas (Nev.)

Publication Date

Fall 11-21-2025

Publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Keywords

Food Service workers; Food Insecurity; Physical health; mental health; economic stability

Disciplines

Environmental Health | Life Sciences | Pharmacology, Toxicology and Environmental Health

File Format

PDF

File Size

445 KB

Permissions

Google Drive\Institutional Repository\OUR_OfficeOfUGResearch\Symposia\2025 Fall Symposium

Comments

Mentor: Kelly Webber

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

The Impact of Food Insecurity on the Physical and Mental Health of Food Service Workers and Their Households


Share

COinS