The Interactive Roles of Food Security and Metabolic Syndrome with Depression
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Introduction Metabolic syndrome (MetS) involves three of five possible signs (or risk factors) of abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting blood sugar and is associated with negative health outcomes. Meshat et al. (2025) showed a relationship of MetS with depression, further extending its relationship with negative outcomes.
Purpose This study’s purpose was to investigate possible relationships between food security, MetS, and depression.
Method We have collected data from the 2021-23 NHANES from the CDC. Participants were divided into four groups regarding food security and then ran a two-way ANOVA to assess differences between all groups. A post hoc analysis was used alongside the ANOVA, and with Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) tests, we were able to identify the specific group differences with respect to the two independent variables.
Results The analysis revealed a main effect for food security (F(3, 1523) =40.24, p< .001). However, no effect was found for MetS on depression (F(1, 1523)=.00003, p=.99) or for an interaction between the two independent variables (F(3, 1523)=1.90, p=..13) Post hoc comparisons using the Tukey HSD test showed a signific ant difference (p < .0001) between groups 2 (Marginal) compared to group 3 (Low) and group 4 (Very Low). No other comparisons were significant.
Discussion The results showed a difference between food security and depression scores. These findings can be applied in future clinical settings tackling hunger problems in areas such as rural towns, inner cities, or other areas of lower food security. It may be necessary to conduct further research, specifically on the relationship between the
Recommended Citation
Naquin, Jacob; Abraham, Tillie; Tureaud, Tyruss; and Hebert, George, "The Interactive Roles of Food Security and Metabolic Syndrome with Depression" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 25.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/25
The Interactive Roles of Food Security and Metabolic Syndrome with Depression
Introduction Metabolic syndrome (MetS) involves three of five possible signs (or risk factors) of abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting blood sugar and is associated with negative health outcomes. Meshat et al. (2025) showed a relationship of MetS with depression, further extending its relationship with negative outcomes.
Purpose This study’s purpose was to investigate possible relationships between food security, MetS, and depression.
Method We have collected data from the 2021-23 NHANES from the CDC. Participants were divided into four groups regarding food security and then ran a two-way ANOVA to assess differences between all groups. A post hoc analysis was used alongside the ANOVA, and with Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) tests, we were able to identify the specific group differences with respect to the two independent variables.
Results The analysis revealed a main effect for food security (F(3, 1523) =40.24, p< .001). However, no effect was found for MetS on depression (F(1, 1523)=.00003, p=.99) or for an interaction between the two independent variables (F(3, 1523)=1.90, p=..13) Post hoc comparisons using the Tukey HSD test showed a signific ant difference (p < .0001) between groups 2 (Marginal) compared to group 3 (Low) and group 4 (Very Low). No other comparisons were significant.
Discussion The results showed a difference between food security and depression scores. These findings can be applied in future clinical settings tackling hunger problems in areas such as rural towns, inner cities, or other areas of lower food security. It may be necessary to conduct further research, specifically on the relationship between the