Global Mental Health and Nutrition: Moving Toward a Convergent Research Agenda

Thalia M. Sparling; Bryan Cheng; Megan Deeney; Marianne V. Santoso; Erin Pfeiffer; Jillian A. Emerson; Florence Mariamu Amadi; Khadija Mitu; Camila Corvalan; Helen Verdeli; Ricardo Araya; Suneetha Kadiyala

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2021.722290

Global Mental Health and Nutrition: Moving Toward a Convergent Research Agenda

Thalia M. Sparling^*, Bryan Cheng, Megan Deeney, Marianne V. Santoso, Erin Pfeiffer, Jillian A. Emerson, Florence Mariamu Amadi, Khadija Mitu, Camila Corvalan, Helen Verdeli, Ricardo Araya, Suneetha Kadiyala

^*Corresponding author for this work

Health Service & Population Research

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Both malnutrition and poor mental health are leading sources of global mortality, disease, and disability. The fields of global food security and nutrition (FSN) and mental health have historically been seen as separate fields of research. Each have undergone substantial transformation, especially from clinical, primary care orientations to wider, sociopolitical approaches to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. In recent years, the trajectories of research on mental health and FSN are further evolving into an intersection of evidence. FSN impacts mental health through various pathways such as food insecurity and nutrients important for neurotransmission. Mental health drives FSN outcomes, for example through loss of motivation and caregiving capacities. They are also linked through a complex and interrelated set of determinants. However, the heterogeneity of the evidence base limits inferences about these important dynamics. Furthermore, interdisciplinary projects and programmes are gaining ground in methodology and impact, but further guidance in integration is much needed. An evidence-driven conceptual framework should inform hypothesis testing and programme implementation. The intersection of mental health and FSN can be an opportunity to invest holistically in advancing thinking in both fields.

Original language	English
Article number	722290
Journal	Frontiers in Public Health
Volume	9
Early online date	8 Oct 2021
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.722290
Publication status	Published - 8 Oct 2021

Keywords

common mental disorders
depression
food security
interdisciplinary
intersectoral research
malnutrition

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.3389/fpubh.2021.722290

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title = "Global Mental Health and Nutrition: Moving Toward a Convergent Research Agenda",

abstract = "Both malnutrition and poor mental health are leading sources of global mortality, disease, and disability. The fields of global food security and nutrition (FSN) and mental health have historically been seen as separate fields of research. Each have undergone substantial transformation, especially from clinical, primary care orientations to wider, sociopolitical approaches to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. In recent years, the trajectories of research on mental health and FSN are further evolving into an intersection of evidence. FSN impacts mental health through various pathways such as food insecurity and nutrients important for neurotransmission. Mental health drives FSN outcomes, for example through loss of motivation and caregiving capacities. They are also linked through a complex and interrelated set of determinants. However, the heterogeneity of the evidence base limits inferences about these important dynamics. Furthermore, interdisciplinary projects and programmes are gaining ground in methodology and impact, but further guidance in integration is much needed. An evidence-driven conceptual framework should inform hypothesis testing and programme implementation. The intersection of mental health and FSN can be an opportunity to invest holistically in advancing thinking in both fields.",

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author = "Sparling, {Thalia M.} and Bryan Cheng and Megan Deeney and Santoso, {Marianne V.} and Erin Pfeiffer and Emerson, {Jillian A.} and Amadi, {Florence Mariamu} and Khadija Mitu and Camila Corvalan and Helen Verdeli and Ricardo Araya and Suneetha Kadiyala",

note = "Funding Information: TS conceptualized the work with BC, supported by the entire ANH Academy Working Group on Mental Health. BC, MD, MS, EP, JE, FMA, KM, CC, HV, RA, and SK each provided feedback and revision throughout the drafting process. TS reconciled all contributions and prepared the final manuscript, which was approved by all authors. Funding Information: This work was supported by the Innovative Methods and Metrics for Agriculture, Nutrition and Health Actions (IMMANA) Programme, funded by UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), grant number 300654, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, grant number INV-002962. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} Copyright {\textcopyright} 2021 Sparling, Cheng, Deeney, Santoso, Pfeiffer, Emerson, Amadi, Mitu, Corvalan, Verdeli, Araya and Kadiyala.",

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AU - Cheng, Bryan

AU - Deeney, Megan

AU - Santoso, Marianne V.

AU - Pfeiffer, Erin

AU - Emerson, Jillian A.

AU - Amadi, Florence Mariamu

AU - Mitu, Khadija

AU - Corvalan, Camila

AU - Verdeli, Helen

AU - Araya, Ricardo

AU - Kadiyala, Suneetha

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N2 - Both malnutrition and poor mental health are leading sources of global mortality, disease, and disability. The fields of global food security and nutrition (FSN) and mental health have historically been seen as separate fields of research. Each have undergone substantial transformation, especially from clinical, primary care orientations to wider, sociopolitical approaches to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. In recent years, the trajectories of research on mental health and FSN are further evolving into an intersection of evidence. FSN impacts mental health through various pathways such as food insecurity and nutrients important for neurotransmission. Mental health drives FSN outcomes, for example through loss of motivation and caregiving capacities. They are also linked through a complex and interrelated set of determinants. However, the heterogeneity of the evidence base limits inferences about these important dynamics. Furthermore, interdisciplinary projects and programmes are gaining ground in methodology and impact, but further guidance in integration is much needed. An evidence-driven conceptual framework should inform hypothesis testing and programme implementation. The intersection of mental health and FSN can be an opportunity to invest holistically in advancing thinking in both fields.

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JO - Frontiers in Public Health

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ER -

Global Mental Health and Nutrition: Moving Toward a Convergent Research Agenda

Abstract

Keywords

UN SDGs

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