The Association Between Low Food Access and Mental Health: A Quantitative and Spatial Analysis Study Among Adults Living in Miami-Dade County, FL

Abstract

AbstractObjective: To examine the association between low food access and mental health outcomes among adults living in Miami-Dade County, FL and to visualize needs around Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces’ program parks. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of area-level data from 2019 was performed. Linear regression models were used to examine the association between low food access and mental health outcomes adjusted for sociodemographic covariates. Exposure and outcome variables were geographically mapped using ArcGIS Online. Datasets were obtained from 2019 Food Access Research Atlas, PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, Census Tract Data 2021 release, and 2019 Social Determinants of Health Database from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Results: After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, education, transportation, and employment, no statistically significant association was found between low food access at 0.5 miles or 1 mile and mental health outcomes. Spatial analysis found prevalence of depression, frequent mental health distress and low food access are spatially clustered across Miami-Dade County. Conclusion: In conclusion, no significant association between low food access and mental health outcomes was seen using public area-level data. Spatial analysis suggests health disparities within MDC thus, further research is needed.