Food insecurity among employees can negatively affect their job performance and engagement, according to a new study published by the American Psychological Association. The research, featured in the Journal of Applied Psychology, examined how anxiety stemming from food insecurity impacts workers and found that employer interventions may help improve workplace outcomes.
Food insecurity is defined as anxiety or fear about being unable to afford enough food, which may lead individuals to reduce their food purchases or skip meals. According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 47 million people in the United States—representing 13% of households—experienced food insecurity in 2023.
Prior studies have linked food insecurity with increased risks for various health problems such as hypertension, anemia, asthma, anxiety, depression, and disorders related to sleep and eating.
The recent study involved three experiments. In one online experiment with 375 U.S. working adults who had experienced food insecurity previously, participants were asked either to recall their most recent experience with food scarcity or a time when they had enough food. Afterward, both groups described their feelings and work behaviors for that day. Those recalling times of food insecurity reported higher anxiety levels along with lower task performance and engagement at work. They also noted providing less assistance to colleagues.
A second experiment followed 567 U.S. working adults over one month using weekly diaries. Individuals reporting higher levels of food insecurity during this period also experienced more anxiety and decreased task performance and engagement on the job.
The third experiment took place in Pakistan with 196 workers randomly assigned to receive either a package of food or cleaning supplies. Workers who received the food packages reported reduced anxiety as well as improved work performance and engagement compared to those who did not receive food.
Based on these results, researchers suggested that businesses should not rely solely on nonprofits or government aid but could play an active role by providing support directly to employees facing food insecurity through options like grocery vouchers, workplace pantries, community gardens or transportation assistance to local food banks.
"We want to highlight that business leaders should support their employees who face food insecurity because doing so, in turn, benefits the businesses themselves," Moy said.
