Researchers in Turkey surveyed 526 people to understand how having reliable access to food affects overall happiness and well-being. They found that people who struggle to get enough food report lower happiness, life satisfaction, and overall well-being—especially when dealing with rising prices and income inequality. Interestingly, having strong religious beliefs and stable income also helped protect people’s well-being. The study suggests that helping people access food reliably could be an important way to improve their mental health and happiness, particularly during times of economic hardship.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether people who struggle to afford or access enough food report lower happiness and well-being compared to those with reliable food access, especially during times of high inflation and income inequality.
  • Who participated: 526 adults living in Turkey who completed an online survey in December 2024. The study included people from various income levels and backgrounds experiencing different levels of economic stress.
  • Key finding: People who couldn’t reliably access enough food reported significantly lower overall well-being and life satisfaction compared to those with secure food access. The difference was substantial enough to suggest food insecurity is an important factor affecting happiness.
  • What it means for you: If you’re struggling to afford food, this research confirms that your stress about food access is real and affects your overall quality of life. The good news: programs that help people access food reliably could meaningfully improve mental health and happiness. However, this study shows a connection, not proof that food insecurity directly causes lower well-being.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers collected information from people at one point in time (December 2024) rather than following them over months or years. Participants completed an online survey that asked about their food security status, overall well-being across five different areas of life, how they perceived inflation’s impact on them, and their income inequality concerns. Food security was measured using a standardized scale that asks about experiences like worrying about food, skipping meals, or running out of food. Well-being was assessed using the Flourish Index, which measures happiness, life satisfaction, meaning in life, relationships, and other important life domains. The researchers also collected basic information like age, income, and religious beliefs to understand how these factors might influence the results.

This research approach is valuable because it captures real-world experiences of people living through actual economic hardship, rather than studying artificial situations in a lab. By measuring multiple aspects of well-being rather than just asking ‘are you happy?’, the researchers could see exactly which parts of life are most affected by food insecurity. The timing of the study during Turkey’s period of high inflation makes the findings particularly relevant to understanding how economic crises impact people’s lives.

Strengths: The study used validated, scientifically-recognized measurement tools for both food security and well-being, making results comparable to other research. The sample size of 526 is reasonably large for this type of study. Limitations: Because this is a snapshot in time, we can’t know if food insecurity causes lower well-being or if people with lower well-being struggle more with food access. The study only included people with internet access who could complete an online survey, potentially missing the most vulnerable populations. The research was conducted in Turkey during a specific economic period, so results may not apply equally to other countries or times.

What the Results Show

The main finding was clear: people who experienced moderate or severe food insecurity reported significantly lower overall well-being compared to those with secure food access. The difference was substantial—about 56% of the variation in well-being scores could be explained by food security status. When researchers looked at specific areas of life, food insecurity was most strongly connected to lower life satisfaction (people feeling unhappy with their lives overall) and lower happiness levels. Even after accounting for other important factors like monthly income and religious beliefs, food insecurity remained a significant predictor of lower well-being. This suggests that food insecurity affects well-being independently of just having low income—it’s not just about money, but about the stress and uncertainty of not knowing if you’ll have enough food. The study also found that people who perceived inflation as having a big impact on their lives and those who felt income inequality was a problem reported higher levels of food insecurity, suggesting these economic stressors are connected.

The researchers identified four distinct groups of people based on their financial situation, food security, and religious engagement. The group that struggled the most—people who were financially unstable and had low religious engagement—reported the lowest well-being across almost all measured areas. In contrast, people who were financially secure and had strong religious beliefs reported the highest well-being. This suggests that both financial stability and having strong personal beliefs or community connections (through religion) may help protect well-being. Interestingly, religious belief emerged as a significant positive factor for well-being, independent of food security and income. This could reflect the social support, meaning, and community connection that religious engagement provides.

This research builds on existing studies showing that food insecurity is linked to mental health problems and lower quality of life. However, this study is notable for examining food insecurity’s connection to multiple dimensions of well-being simultaneously, rather than just depression or anxiety. The finding that food insecurity affects well-being even after accounting for income level aligns with recent research suggesting that the psychological stress of food insecurity—worrying about affording food, feeling ashamed, or experiencing uncertainty—may be as important as the actual nutritional impact. The study’s focus on a country experiencing high inflation adds to our understanding of how economic crises specifically affect well-being.

This study shows associations (connections) between food insecurity and lower well-being, but cannot prove that food insecurity causes lower well-being. People with lower well-being might struggle more with food access, or both could be caused by another factor like depression or poverty. The online survey format means the study likely missed people without internet access, who may be more likely to experience food insecurity. The study was conducted at one specific time in Turkey during a particular economic crisis, so results may not apply to other countries, time periods, or economic conditions. The study relied on people’s self-reported perceptions of inflation and income inequality rather than objective economic data. Finally, the study didn’t measure actual nutritional intake or health outcomes, only self-reported well-being.

The Bottom Line

If you’re experiencing food insecurity: Seek help from local food banks, community programs, or government assistance programs designed to help people access food. The stress you’re experiencing is real and valid. Consider connecting with community or religious organizations that may provide both practical support and social connection, which this research suggests can help protect well-being. If you’re a policymaker or community leader: Invest in food security programs as part of broader well-being initiatives. This research suggests that helping people reliably access food could meaningfully improve mental health and quality of life. Consider combining food assistance with programs that build community connection and social support. These recommendations are supported by this research but should be combined with other evidence and local knowledge about what works in your community.

This research is most relevant to people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers designing social support programs, public health professionals, and community organizations working to improve well-being. Healthcare providers should be aware that food insecurity may be affecting their patients’ mental health and overall quality of life. People living in countries experiencing high inflation or economic inequality should recognize that these economic conditions may be affecting their well-being through multiple pathways, including food access. This research is less directly applicable to people with secure food access and stable incomes, though it may help them understand challenges others face.

If food insecurity is addressed through programs or policy changes, improvements in well-being might be noticeable within weeks to months as the stress and uncertainty of food access decreases. However, rebuilding overall life satisfaction and happiness after experiencing food insecurity may take longer—potentially several months to a year or more. The timeline will vary depending on how severe the food insecurity was and what other support systems are in place.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly food security by rating your confidence in affording enough food on a scale of 1-10, and simultaneously track your overall happiness or life satisfaction using the same scale. Over time, you’ll see if improvements in food access correlate with improvements in your mood and well-being.
  • Use the app to connect with local food assistance resources and community programs in your area. Set reminders to check in with community or support groups weekly, as the research suggests that social connection helps protect well-being. Track not just what you eat, but how secure you feel about your food access and how that affects your mood.
  • Create a monthly well-being check-in that includes questions about food security, life satisfaction, and happiness. Compare these scores month-to-month to identify patterns. If you’re working to improve food security through programs or policy changes, use the app to track whether well-being improvements follow as food security improves.

This research shows a connection between food insecurity and lower well-being, but does not prove that food insecurity directly causes lower well-being. This study was conducted in Turkey during a specific economic period and may not apply equally to other countries or situations. If you’re experiencing food insecurity or mental health concerns, please reach out to local food assistance programs, healthcare providers, or mental health professionals who can provide personalized support. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical or mental health advice. Always consult with qualified healthcare providers about your individual situation.