Sociodemographic Correlates of Food Insecurity in Students Attending a Private University: A Cross-Sectional, Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity is thought to be a prevalent yet misunderstood problem among college/university students. There is limited evidence regarding the prevalence of food insecurity in this population, and even less among private institutions of higher education. Food insecurity in college/university students can have harmful effects on students' academic performance and health. The aim of this study was thus to examine food security among college/university students and assess variables which may be associated with it.Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected during October-November 2021 from undergraduate, graduate, and professional students at a large private university in Florida, United States using an anonymous, selfadministered online questionnaire that included the Validate U.S. Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Six-item index and select sociodemographic variables. Point-biserial correlation coefficient analysis was conducted to identify correlations between the scores on the U.S. Household Food Security Sixitem Index and sociodemographic variables. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.27 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).Results: Among the 1,316 students who completed the questionnaire, 34% (n=447) reported being "food insecure" (scores between 2 and 6), with higher scores indicating more low food security. In addition, there was a weak but statistically significant correlation between identifying as a first-generation college/university student and greater food insecurity. Conversely, current employment and receiving financial aid from family were both weakly, yet statistically significantly correlated with less food insecurity. Conclusion:Results from this study may help raise awareness regarding university students at risk for low food security and understand certain socioeconomic variables associated with high levels of food insecurity. More research may be needed to help direct focused intervention efforts such as food assistance programs and on-campus food pantries to ameliorate food insecurity in college/university students.

The Prevalence of Food Insecurity Among Graduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The same study also reported that the rate of food insecurity among international students during the same period increased from 29.89% to 40.8%, making them the most food insecure group in the study (Glantsman et al, 2022). Another study done at Nova Southeastern University, a large, private, suburban university in Florida found that out of the 744 graduate and professional students surveyed, 34.5% of them were food insecure (Lankford et al, 2022). These studies demonstrate how vulnerable the graduate student population is when it comes to food insecurity.…”