Intersections of Nutritional Health and Mental Wellbeing: Psycho-Anthropological Insights into Care, Culture, and Global Health Equity

Abstract (English)

This panel examines the complex intersections of nutritional health and mental well-being through the psycho-anthropological lens, exploring how cultural practices, socio-economic conditions, and global health inequities shape care experiences and health outcomes. One paper investigates dietary practices and mental resilience among Indigenous communities, highlighting the psychological impacts of cultural shifts caused by climate change (Vecchio et al., 2022). Another study analyzes the dual burden of malnutrition and mental health challenges among women in rural South Asia, emphasizing the role of gendered caregiving responsibilities (Gao et al., 2020). A comparative analysis of urban and rural youth reveals how nutritional disparities influence mental health trajectories in rapidly globalizing contexts (Tang et al., 2024). Additionally, a case study on migrant populations focuses on the cultural adaptation of mental health care strategies and their interplay with nutritional security (Kirmayer et al., 2010). Finally, the panel engages with global health policies, advocating for integrating traditional knowledge systems into health frameworks to address nutritional and mental health disparities. These contributions underscore the need for interdisciplinary approaches to reimagine health equity and foster culturally responsive care systems globally.