Food insecurity has far-reaching implications beyond nutrition, influencing educational and psychosocial outcomes. This study surveyed 1,100 secondary school students in Accra and Kumasi using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and school performance records. Findings revealed that severely food-insecure students were 2.5 times more likely to miss school and had an average 11% lower exam score compared to food-secure peers (p < 0.001). Gender-stratified analysis indicated that girls experienced greater psychological stress linked to food insecurity. The study calls for school-based feeding and mental health programs as integrated strategies to combat educational inequities.

Keywords:
food insecurity, adolescent health, education, nutrition, Ghana