Prevalence and factors affecting food insecurity among university students in Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Food insecurity exists whenever people are unable to access sufficient food at all times for an active and healthy life. University students are a potentially vulnerable group of people to face food insecurity. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among a population of university students in Kuantan, in the state of Pahang. Methods: Food security status was identified using the United States Adult Food Security Survey Module (USAFSSM). Factors, which include demographic background, spending expenditure pattern and time constraints, were assessed. A total of 316 students were selected through stratified random sampling throughout six faculties of the International Islamic University Malaysia, of whom 307 successfully completed the survey. Results:The result shows that 54.4% of the students were experiencing food insecurity, from which 32.9% were sub-categorised as low food security and 21.5% as very low food security. Food insecurity was found to be significantly associated with time constraints (p<0.05), spending on books (p<0.05), miscellaneous items (p<0.05), parents' income (p<0.001) and scholarship type (p<0.001). Conclusion: Apart from the high incidence of food insecurity among the students, time and financial affordability appeared to be critical concerns in this study. Since food insecurity has become a significant issue with university students, it should be addressed and prioritised by the relevant authorities.

Food Insecurity among University Students in Kenya: An Analysis of Associated Factors

“…An analysis of the data derived revealed that most of the students constituting 57.6% indicated that they were food insecure. This finding agrees with a study in Pahang, Malaysia on prevalence and factors contributing to food insecurity among university students which found that 54% of the students were food insecure, 33% were low food secure and 21% were very low food secure [11]. It was further found that 56.4% of the students afforded only two meals per day and only a minority could afford three meals per day.…”

“…This also resonates with a study South-Eastern US on the student specific factors which include increased cost of housing and tuition, low income, inadequate financial resources, poor food management skills, increased reliance on borrowed finances and ineligibility for food assistance programmes [17]. Further, a study on prevalence and factors contributing to food insecurity among university students in Pakistan, found that time management, expenditure on books, income of guardians, type of scholarship, academic programmes and miscellaneous items contributed to food insecurity [11].…”

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“…University participation is vital in ensuring food security because college students are a group that is highly impacted by food insecurity, with prevalence estimates on Malaysian campuses ranging between 22% and 69.4% (Razak et al , 2014 ; Abu Bakar et al , 2019 ; Izwan Syafiq et al , 2019 ; Rajikan et al , 2019 ; Jamil et al , 2020 ). Food insecurity among university students can negatively impact their academic performance, physical and mental health, and food choices.…”