scholarly journals Food Insecurity among College Students in the United States: A Scoping Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cassandra J Nikolaus ◽  
Ruopeng An ◽  
Brenna Ellison ◽  
Sharon M Nickols-Richardson
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Psychometric Testing ◽  
The United States ◽  
Representative Sampling ◽  
Study Characteristics

ABSTRACT Reports of college students experiencing food insecurity (FI), defined as inadequate access, availability, adequacy, and stability of food, have sparked national calls for alleviation and prevention policies. However, there are a wide variety of FI rates reported across studies and even among recent literature reviews. The current scoping review aimed to develop a weighted estimated prevalence of FI among US students using a comprehensive search approach. In addition, study characteristics that may be related to the high variability in reported FI prevalence were explored. To address these aims, the peer-reviewed and gray literature on US college student FI was systematically searched to identify 12,044 nonduplicated records. A total of 51 study samples, across 62 records, met inclusion criteria and were included in the current review. The quality of the included studies was moderate, with an average rate of 6.4 on a scale of 0–10. Convenience (45%) and census (30%) sampling approaches were common; only 4 study samples were based on representative sampling strategies. FI estimates ranged from 10% to 75%. It was common for very low security to be as prevalent as, or more prevalent than, low food security. The surveying protocols used in the studies were related to the FI estimates. The USDA Short Form Food Security Survey Module (FSSM; 50%) and the USDA Adult FSSM (40%) prevalence estimates were larger than for the full USDA Household FSSM (13%). When these surveys referenced a 12-mo period, FI estimates were 31%. This was a lower FI estimate than surveys using reference periods of 9 mo or shorter (47%). The results indicate that FI is a pressing issue among college students, but the variation in prevalence produced by differing surveys suggests that students may be misclassified with current surveying methods. Psychometric testing of these surveys when used with college students is warranted.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity, Depression, and Race: Correlations Observed Among College Students at a University in the Southeastern United States

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 8268
Author(s):  
Nicole Reeder ◽  
Pradtana Tapanee ◽  
Anna Persell ◽  
Terezie Tolar-Peterson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
The United States ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Fat Percentage ◽  
Patient Health

Food insecurity is common among college students in the United States and is associated with poorer health-related outcomes and academic performance. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of food insecurity at a large, public university in Mississippi, a state with the second highest rate of food insecurity in the nation, and to examine the associations between food insecurity, depression, and race in this group of students. Food security was measured using the United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form, and depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. In total, 131 students ages 18–24 participated in the study. Food insecurity was present in 38.2% of students surveyed. The odds of food insecurity were higher among African American students compared to Caucasian students (OR = 3.50, 95% CI: 1.38, 8.90). Students with very low food security had 4.52-times greater odds of having depression than food-secure students (p = 0.011, 95% CI: 1.42, 14.36). Neither body mass index nor body fat percentage were associated with food security status. Further research is needed on strategies to address the risk of depression among food-insecure college students and the racial disparity in food insecurity rates present among college students.

scholarly journals Associations Between College-Student Food Insecurity and Diet at a Large, Public Midwestern University

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 243-243
Author(s):  
Jeannie Mei ◽  
Aarohee Fulay ◽  
Cindy Leung
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Midwestern University

Abstract Objectives Food insecurity, a state of not being able to consistently access nutritious food, is an issue that 43% of students on college campuses experience. This study examines the associations between food insecurity and dietary intake in a sample of undergraduate students at a large, public Midwestern university. Methods A Qualtrics survey was completed by 1033 students, recruited from three dining halls as part of a different sugar-sweetened beverage intervention study. Baseline data, collected prior to the intervention, were used in the present study. Food security was assessed using the 6-item Short Form Food Security Survey Module and dietary intake was assessed using the National Cancer Institute 26-item Dietary Screener Questionnaire and the Beverage Intake Questionnaire-15. Generalized linear regression models were used to examine differences in dietary intake by student's food security status. Results After adjusting for sociodemographic variables, food-insecure students reported 9% lower intake of fruits, 9% lower intake of vegetables, 10% higher intake of dairy, 6% higher intake of total added sugars, 10% higher intake of added sugars from sugar-sweetened beverages, 4% higher intake of calcium, and 4% lower intake of fiber, compared to food-secure students. With respect to beverage intake, food-insecure students had 55% higher intake of fruit drinks, 148% higher intake of energy drinks, 129% higher intake of sweetened teas, 46% higher intake of flavored milk, 54% higher intake of total sugar-sweetened beverages, and 66% higher intake of diet soda. Conclusions Despite having similar access to university dining halls, there were significant differences in the diets of college students by food security status, providing more reason to increase food insecurity awareness among college students and contribute to initiatives to alleviate food insecurity, such as on-campus food pantry programs. Funding Sources This study was supported by a grant from Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity Is Associated with Increased Risk of Obesity in US College Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aseel El Zein ◽  
Sarah E Colby ◽  
Wenjun Zhou ◽  
Karla P Shelnutt ◽  
Geoffrey W Greene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACT Background Food insecurity affects millions of Americans and college students are especially vulnerable. Little is known about the relation of food insecurity with weight status and dietary intake during this critical phase of emerging adulthood. Objectives We aimed to examine the sex-specific associations of food insecurity with obesity and dietary intake among college students. The study also explored these associations by meal plan (MP) enrollment. Methods This cross-sectional study included 683 second-year students at 8 universities in the United States. Food security status and dietary intake were assessed using the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and the Dietary Screener Questionnaire, respectively. On-site anthropometrics were measured by researchers. Results The prevalence of food insecurity at the universities ranged from 19.0% to 34.1% with a mean of 25.4% for the entire sample. Compared with high food security, marginal food security and food insecurity were associated with 3.16 (95% CI: 1.55, 6.46) and 5.13 (95% CI: 2.63, 10.00) times increased odds of obesity, respectively, exhibiting a dose–response relation. Food insecurity remained a significant predictor of obesity among both sexes after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Food-insecure (FI) students had a significantly lower intake of fruits and vegetables and higher intake of added sugars than food-secure (FS) students. Obesity rate and added sugars consumption were higher among FI students with MPs than among FI students lacking MPs and FS students regardless of MP status. Among students with MPs, FS students had a higher intake of fruits and vegetables than FI students. Conclusions Food insecurity was associated with obesity and poor dietary intake among both sexes. Although MP subsidies may be a reasoned approach to combat food insecurity, it should be coupled with efforts to assist students in making healthy food choices. Registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02941497.

scholarly journals College Students With Disabilities Report Higher Rates of Food Insecurity

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 186-186
Author(s):  
Grace Stott ◽  
Jesse Stabile Morrell
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Disability Status ◽  
College Students With Disabilities ◽  
Students With A Disability

Abstract Objectives To characterize the prevalence of food insecurity among college students with and without disabilities. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected between 2018–2020 at a mid-size, northeast public university as part of the ongoing College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey. An online survey collected self-reported data, including food security and disability status. Food security status was measured via the U.S Household Food Security Survey Module 6-Item Short Form, and categorized into very low, low, marginal, and high food security. Disability status was categorized into yes or no via affirmative answers to either one of two items related to limitations or use of specialized equipment. Chi-square was used to assess the differences in food insecurity prevalence among students with and without disabilities. Results The sample (n = 880) was 60.6% female, predominately white (94.3%), and had a mean age of 19 ± 1.2 years. One out of seven students (14.6%) reported a disability; 18.6% reported low or very low food security (13.2% and 5.5% respectively) and 81.4% reported high or marginal food security (67.6% and 13.8%, respectively). Students with a disability reported higher rates of food insecurity vs. those without a disability (35.9% vs. 16.0%, P < 0.001). Among students with a disability, 12.8% reported very low food security and 23.1% reported low food security, compared to 4.3% and 11.7%, respectively, among those students without disabilities. Conclusions College students with disabilities experienced far greater rates of food insecurity than students without disabilities. Further research, including qualitative work, can help to understand and develop better supports for this underserved segment of the college population. Funding Sources The New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Station and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project 1010738.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Social Determinants of Food Insecurity among College Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan R. Owens ◽  
Francilia Brito-Silva ◽  
Tracie Kirkland ◽  
Carolyn E. Moore ◽  
Kathleen E. Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Food Sufficiency ◽  
Time Work ◽  
Part Time

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has increased unemployment and food insecurity in the United States (US). Prior to the pandemic, college students exhibited higher rates of food insecurity than nonstudent households. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence and determinants of food insecurity among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. We administered an online survey to 651 students on three diverse campuses at a state-funded university in Texas, US, in May 2020. Food security was assessed using a multistep approach that included the 2-item Food Sufficiency Screener and 6-Item USDA Food Security Survey Module (FSSM). Overall, 34.5% of respondents were classified as food insecure within the last 30 days. The strongest predictors of food insecurity were change in current living arrangement (OR = 2.70, 95% CI: 2.47, 2.95), being furloughed (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 2.86, 3.64), laid off (OR = 4.07, 95% CI: 3.55, 4.66), or losing part-time work (OR = 5.73, 95% CI: 5.09, 6.46) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings highlight the high prevalence of food insecurity among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, with students who experienced housing insecurity and/or loss of income due to the pandemic being impacted the most.

scholarly journals Covid-19 and College Students: Food Security Status before and after the Onset of a Pandemic

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 628
Author(s):  
Kaley Mialki ◽  
Lisa A. House ◽  
Anne E. Mathews ◽  
Karla P. Shelnutt
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public University ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Food Insecure Households ◽  
Relief Efforts

While the Covid-19 pandemic has increased the number of food insecure households in the United States (US), it is unclear how it has affected college student food security status. College students are ineligible for many Covid-19-related economic relief programs and may find it even more difficult to cope during the pandemic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify and describe the prevalence of food insecurity at a public university before and after the onset of Covid-19 as well as factors associated with any change in food security. Researchers administered a cross-sectional, non-probability survey to college students (n = 3206) that assessed food security status prior to and after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as questions related to various sociodemographic characteristics. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Thirty-eight percent of students experienced a change in food security as a result of the pandemic, with 59.6% becoming less food secure, and 40.4% becoming more food secure. Characteristics that were associated with changes in food security included changes in housing and employment status as a result of the pandemic. These findings suggest that the pandemic led to changes in food security among college students, and that economic relief efforts should include college students, who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity.

scholarly journals 1284Food insecurity and mental health features and behaviours in adults from Portugal

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Aguiar ◽  
Isabel Maia ◽  
Marta Pinto ◽  
Raquel Duarte
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
The United States ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Health Features ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting population’s health and economies, in which food insecurity appears as important concern, particularly considering its associations with mental health and adverse behaviours. This study explored the relationship between food insecurity and mental health features and behaviours in adults from Portugal. Methods A cross-sectional study using data from an online survey was performed, including Portugal’s residents aged ≥18 years. Data on sociodemographics, behaviours, mental health features and food security status were collected. Food security status was evaluated with the United States Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-item Short Form. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate, were used to explore the relationship between food security status and categorical variables. Results Food insecurity prevalence was 6.8%; showed to be significantly higher among less educated individuals (≤12 years of schooling) (p<0.001), those who were employed and remained since the beginning of the pandemic (p<0.001) and among those reporting need to be careful about expenses (p<0.001). Comparing to individuals who were food secure, food insecure participants were more likely to smoke (p=0.009), to report depressive symptoms (p<0.001) and anxiety (p<0.001), measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Conclusions From the present study, it can be concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic can affect food security in different subpopulations. Key messages The findings of this study have several implications for health policy and reinforce the need for investment in contexts of populations vulnerable to food insecurity

scholarly journals Food Insecurity among Senior Citizens in High Out-migration Areas: Evidence from Western Nepal

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devendra Raj Singh ◽  
Saruna Ghimire ◽  
Eva M Jeffers ◽  
Sunita Singh ◽  
Dhirendra Nath ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Senior Citizen ◽  
The United States ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Lower Odds ◽  
Household Food

Abstract Background: Food insecurity is a critical public health challenge, particularly in low and middle-income countries such as Nepal. The demographic transition has resulted in a growing population of senior citizens. However, the determinants of food insecurity among Nepali senior citizens remain unknown. This study aims to fill this gap by assessing food insecurity among the older populations in the far-western region, one of the poorest regions of the country. Further, we also aim to assess the potential association between adult children’s migration and the food insecurity status of the left behind older parents.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 randomly selected senior citizens in the Kanchanpur district in far-western Nepal. The short form of the household food security scale, originally developed by the United States Department of Agriculture, was used to measure household food security. Associations were examined by logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of food insecurity in senior citizens’ households was 41.1%. Senior citizen households with their adult children’s migration (AOR= 0.47, 95% CI: 0.24 - 0.95) had lower odds of being food insecure whereas households with lower family income (<$100 compared to ≥ $100) had two times higher odds of being food insecure (AOR= 2.26, 95% CI: 1.08 - 4.76). Also, households owning a cultivable land/farm (AOR= 0.14, 95% CI: 0.05-0.40), primary source of income as service/pension (AOR= 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08 - 0.89) or business (AOR= 0.15, 95% CI: 0.03 - 0.59) and participants who received geriatric allowances (AOR=0.05, 95% CI=0.01- 0.16) had lower odds of being food insecure. Conclusion: The prevalence of food insecurity among households with a senior citizen in Kanchanpur district was high and associated with the migration status of adult children, and household socioeconomic status. This calls for a greater policy response focused specifically on households with older adults and the integration of gerontological evidence into the existing food security and nutrition strategies.

scholarly journals Characteristics associated with changes in food security status among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Soldavini ◽  
Hazael Andrew ◽  
Maureen Berner
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Security Module ◽  
Adult Food

Abstract The prevalence of food insecurity in the USA has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, past studies have not examined how the food security status of college students has been impacted. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of food insecurity; determine the proportion of students experiencing a change in food security status; and identify characteristics associated with changes in food security status from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of college students. We administered a cross-sectional online survey to students from a large public university in the Southeastern USA. The 10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Module was used to assess food security status during the spring 2020 semester both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students self-reported a variety of individual characteristics. The overall prevalence of food insecurity increased by approximately one-third during the spring 2020 semester from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. When examining the types of changes in food security status experienced by students, 12% improved, 68% stayed the same, and 20% worsened. A variety of characteristics were associated with an improvement or worsening of food security status category from before to during the pandemic. Similar to what is seen in other reports, we found that the overall proportion of college students in our sample experiencing food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some students showed improvements in food security status. Approaches for addressing food insecurity during and beyond the pandemic are needed.

scholarly journals High food insecurity in Latinx families and associated COVID-19 infection in the Greater Bay Area, California

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milagro Escobar ◽  
Andrea DeCastro Mendez ◽  
Maria Romero Encinas ◽  
Sofia Villagomez ◽  
Janet M. Wojcicki
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
The United States ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Household Food ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Food insecurity impacts nearly one-in-four Latinx households in the United States and has been exacerbated by the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We examined the impact of COVID-19 on household and child food security in three preexisting, longitudinal, Latinx urban cohorts in the San Francisco Bay Area (N = 375 households, 1875 individuals). Households were initially recruited during pregnancy and postpartum at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) and UCSF Benioff prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this COVID-19 sub-study, participants responded to a 15-min telephonic interview. Participants answered 18 questions from the US Food Security Food Module (US HFSSM) and questions on types of food consumption, housing and employment status, and history of COVID-19 infection as per community or hospital-based testing. Food security and insecurity levels were compared with prior year metrics. Results We found low levels of household food security in Latinx families (by cohort: 29.2%; 34.2%; 60.0%) and child food security (56.9%, 54.1%, 78.0%) with differences between cohorts explained by self-reported levels of education and employment status. Food security levels were much lower than those reported previously in two cohorts where data had been recorded from prior years. Reported history of COVID-19 infection in households was 4.8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI); 1.5–14.3%); 7.2% (95%CI, 3.6–13.9%) and 3.5% (95%CI, 1.7–7.2%) by cohort and was associated with food insecurity in the two larger cohorts (p = 0.03; p = 0.01 respectively). Conclusions Latinx families in the Bay Area with children are experiencing a sharp rise in food insecurity levels during the COVID-19 epidemic. Food insecurity, similar to other indices of poverty, is associated with increased risk for COVID-19 infection. Comprehensive interventions are needed to address food insecurity in Latinx populations and further studies are needed to better assess independent associations between household food insecurity, poor nutritional health and risk of COVID-19 infection.

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