Associations between campus climate perceptions and food insecurity among undergraduates at a public university

This study examined the relationships between food insecurity, mental health, and academic performance among college students in a California public university system ( N = 8705). Structural equation modeling was performed to examine a direct path from food insecurity to student grade point average and an indirect path through mental health, controlling for demographic characteristics. Food insecurity was related to lower student grade point average directly and indirectly through poor mental health. These findings support the need for future interventions and policy on the importance of providing students with the basic needs to succeed both academically and in the future.

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Food Insecurity and Associated Health and Academic Measures Among College Students in Connecticut

American Journal of Health Studies ◽

10.47779/ajhs.2020.254 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Victoria A. Zigmont ◽

Abigail Linsmeier ◽

Peggy Gallup

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Public University ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Depression Diagnosis ◽

The Past ◽

Effective Interventions

This cross-sectional study explored the health and academic impacts of food insecurity among undergraduates at a public university. A representative campus-wide sample (n=792) found that roughly 30% of students were food insecure, based upon a single validated question about the student’s experience over the past year. Food insecure students had lower GPAs (3.09 vs. 3.25), a higher proportion had a depression diagnosis (22.4 vs. 14.3), and a higher proportion ate fewer than three servings of fruits and vegetables per day (14.4% vs. 7.3%) compared to food secure students. A marginally higher proportion of food insecure students had an anxiety diagnosis (22.8% vs. 14.3%) More research is needed to understand the extent and manifestation of food insecurity so effective interventions can be developed.

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Assessing food insecurity prevalence and associated factors among college students enrolled in a university in the Southeast USA

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018003531 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 383-390 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ruth Wooten ◽

Marsha Spence ◽

Sarah Colby ◽

Elizabeth Anderson Steeves

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Graduate Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Public University ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

University System ◽

Grade Point ◽

Southeast Usa ◽

Final Sample

AbstractObjectiveTo assess rates of food insecurity (FI) among college students enrolled at a large public university system across one US state and identify factors associated with experiencing FI.DesignCross-sectional online survey administered to eligible, enrolled students (n 38 614) across three campuses within the university system, with 5593 students responding (4824 final sample after applying exclusion criteria, 12·5 % response rate). FI was assessed using the US Department of Agriculture’s Adult Food Security Survey Module. Descriptive statistics were conducted to calculate FI status and identify sample characteristics. Associations between FI status and independent variables were assessed using bivariate analyses (χ2 and ANOVA tests) and multivariate logistic regression.SettingLarge public university system, Southeast USA.ParticipantsEnrolled college students (excluding freshman, <18 years of age).ResultsThirty-six per cent of students were classified as FI. After controlling for confounders, factors that were significantly associated with increased likelihood of FI included previous FI (P<0·001; OR=4·78), financial factors and self-reported grade point average ≤3·85. Seniors were significantly more likely experience FI than graduate students (P=0·004, OR=1·41). A significant relationship was not identified between FI and meal plan participation, and no differences in FI were found between graduate students and individuals with sophomore or junior standing.ConclusionsThis research identifies high rates of FI among college students enrolled in a large public university system in the Southeast USA, as well as selected factors related to FI. Programmes to assist college students experiencing FI need to be developed and tested.

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Sexual Minority Status, Anxiety–Depression, and Academic Outcomes: The Role of Campus Climate Perceptions among Italian Higher Education Students

Behavioral Sciences ◽

10.3390/bs10120179 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 179

Author(s):

Anna Lisa Amodeo ◽

Concetta Esposito ◽

Camilla Esposito ◽

Dario Bacchini

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Academic Success ◽

Minority Students ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Academic Outcomes ◽

Campus Climate ◽

Minority Status ◽

European Higher Education ◽

Climate Perceptions ◽

Anxiety Depression

Students from sexual minorities generally describe Higher Education contexts as unwelcoming and chilly environments. Based on the Minority Stress theory, these disparities in climate perceptions may lead sexual minority students to negative health and academic outcomes. To date, research documenting the experience of sexual minority students within European Higher Education Institutions is limited. Framed within campus climate literature, the current study aimed to expand on previous knowledge by investigating the associations between sexual minority status, students’ perceptions of campus climate and psychological (i.e., anxiety–depression), and academic outcomes (i.e., intellectual and academic success and considering leaving the university) using a self-selected sample of 868 Italian university students (17.9% sexual minority students). The results showed that sexual minority status was associated with negative perceptions of campus climate, which, in turn, were associated with higher levels of anxiety–depression symptoms, lowered academic success, and a high probability of considering leaving university. Further research is needed to investigate the experience of sexual minority students within European Higher Education contexts and to explore possible actions that could contribute to fostering a greater sense of belonging to the campus community for all students, and particularly for students from sexual minority groups.

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Building capacity and transforming lives: Anthropology undergraduates and religious campus-climate research on a public university campus

Annals of Anthropological Practice ◽

10.1111/napa.12106 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 258-269 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

BONNIE GLASS-COFFIN

Keyword(s):

Campus Climate ◽

Public University ◽

University Campus ◽

Building Capacity ◽

Climate Research

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Combatting Food Insecurity on a Mid sized Public University Campus in the Midwest

International Journal for Innovation Education and Research ◽

10.31686/ijier.vol5.iss6.692 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (6) ◽

pp. 67-74

Author(s):

Jenny Manry ◽

Shala Mills ◽

Dorothy Ochs

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Public University ◽

Easy Access ◽

University Campus ◽

Frozen Foods ◽

Food Pantry ◽

Survey Results

Students and faculty at a rural university in Western Kansas took steps to decrease food insecurity in the campus population through the establishment of a campus garden and food pantry. Over a two-year period, the campus garden was relocated and expanded to provide easy access to faculty, staff, and students. The campus food pantry was enhanced to include cold and frozen foods and well as staple items. Survey results showed an increase in participation of both the garden and food pantry over the two-year period.

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