Examining the role of financial factors, resources and skills in predicting food security status among college students

Abstract

The prevalence of food insecurity among college students has received little attention in academic literature, despite previous studies suggesting increased risk and potentially high rates of food insecurity among students. Additionally, the combined effects of financial and food management skills and resources have not been considered when examining student food security. A sample of 557 undergraduate students at a large, public university in the southeastern United States was surveyed to assess food security and its risk factors. Data were analysed based on sociodemographic characteristics, food security status, select financial factors, cooking self-efficacy and food management resources and skills. Prevalence of food insecurity among this sample of students was approximately 14%, comparable to national estimates. Results from probit regression analyses suggested that food security status was significantly associated with food resource adequacy. The model also highlighted the importance of several financial factors, including financial independence, familial financial support, receipt of financial or food assistance, budgeting behaviours, credit card ownership and exogenous shock. These data provide insights into the nature of food insecurity on a large college campus and fill a significant gap in the current literature by addressing relevant financial factors. The data are particularly salient due to two factors facing students at the sampled university during the period of study: (1) uncertain economic climate at the national and local level; and (2) the local area was recently affected by a significant natural disaster. Such data are useful to student affairs personnel who may wish to provide resources to assist students who are at risk for food insecurity.

Factors Related to the High Rates of Food Insecurity among Diverse, Urban College Freshmen

“…Others have shown that health disparities are prevalent in college populations; 13, 14 however, very few studies have been conducted on food insecurity in U.S. college students. 15,16 …”

“…For example, food insecurity has been shown to be 1.5 times higher among Black and Hispanic students compared to White or Asian students. 17 Food insecure students were more likely to receive financial aid, 15 not live with family, 14, 18, 19 to have jobs while taking classes, 17, 19 and to have lower grades. 16 …”

“…Of the three published peer-reviewed studies on food insecurity among U.S. college students, 14–16 two excluded college freshmen entirely, 14, 15 and none examined food insecurity specifically among college freshmen living in residence halls. Given the multiple changes occurring during the transition from high school to college and the move away from home, freshmen residing in residence halls may be an important population to study.…”

Socio-Economic Characteristics of Farming Community and Food Security Situation in Punjab, Pakistan

“…They concluded that women empowerment was associated with better intake of calories and dietary diversity. Through a survey conducted among university students, Gaines et al (2014) proved the importance of financial status, resources and skill development, and described them as food resource adequacy. Similar results were found in Nigeria by Titus and Adetokunbo (2007).…”

The Relationship between Structural Social Determinants of Health and Food Insecurity among Pregnant Women

“…It has been also suggested that low income is an important determinant of food insecurity. While families with food insecurity are not necessarily poor, other demographic and socioeconomic factors may be associated with the increased risk of food insecurity, including unemployment, limited access to food aid programs, low level of education, drug and tobacco abuse, and heavy costs of housing, transportation, and healthcare (12,13).…”