Bidirectional Interaction Between Food Insecurity and Chronic Pain: A Scoping Review Protocol

Chronic pain and food insecurity are two overlapping public health crises. While the physiological mechanisms of pain are well-studied, the structural and social drivers – specifically nutritional access – are often overlooked in clinical pain management. Theoretical frameworks suggest a "vicious cycle" wherein food insecurity triggers pro-inflammatory states and psychological stress that exacerbate pain perception, while the functional limitations of chronic pain reduce earning potential and physical access to food. This scoping review is required to identify how food insecurity is measured in pain studies, which specific pain conditions (e.g., fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal pain) are most strongly associated with hunger, and to inform future clinical screening guidelines. Objective Statement: To identify and map the characteristics of research examining the relationship between food insecurity and chronic pain in adults.