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 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 Food insecurity, psychosocial health and academic performance among college and university students in Georgia, USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilana G Raskind ◽  
Regine Haardörfer ◽  
Carla J Berg
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Food Security ◽  
University Students ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Psychosocial Health ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
College And University ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Effect Of Food

AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether psychosocial health mediates the association between food insecurity and grade point average (GPA) among college and university students.DesignData for the present study are from a longitudinal cohort study. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the proposed mediation hypothesis. Food insecurity was measured using the US Department of Agriculture’s Six-Item Short Form. Psychosocial health was operationalized as a latent factor with three indicators: depression, anxiety and hope. Validated scales were used to measure each indicator. GPA was self-reported.SettingSeven colleges and universities in Georgia, USA.ParticipantsStudents aged 18–25 years were recruited via email and surveyed every four months over a two-year period (analytic n 2377).ResultsApproximately 29 % of students were food insecure. In the final SEM, food insecurity was associated (standardized β, se) with poorer psychosocial health (0·22, 0·03, P<0·0001) and poorer psychosocial health was associated with a lower GPA (−0·21, 0·03, P<0·0001). The indirect effect of food security status on GPA, as mediated by psychosocial health, was significant (−0·05, 0·01, P<0·0001) and accounted for 73 % of the total effect. After accounting for psychosocial health, the direct effect of food security status on GPA was not significant (−0·02, 0·02, P=0·43).ConclusionsPsychosocial health may be an important mechanism through which food insecurity affects academic performance among college and university students. Multicomponent interventions that address immediate food security needs as well as co-occurring mental health and academic concerns are needed to ensure student success.

scholarly journals Effect of a Food Scholarship Program on Food Security Status and Diet Quality of College Students (P04-069-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn Moore ◽  
Torrey Alexis ◽  
Jayna Dave ◽  
Derek Miketinas ◽  
Tzu-An Chen
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Healthy Eating Index ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Scholarship Program ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Component Scores

Abstract Objectives To determine how food insecurity is associated with overall diet quality in college students following the implementation of a new food scholarship program. Changes of Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and food security status were compared over a 10-week period. Methods A new food scholarship program at Texas Woman's University in Houston provided students fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy and meat products, as well as non-perishable foods twice monthly. The Houston Food Bank donated all foods. Baseline and 10-week data were collected. Food security was measured with the USDA 6-item short form of the Food Security Survey Module. Total HEI-2015 and component scores were calculated from analysis of 3-day food records and compared by paired t-tests. ANCOVA estimated the impact of food security (high, low, very low) on HEI post scores, controlling for HEI baseline scores, age, gender, and race. Results Participants (n = 49) were primarily female (n = 38, 78%) with an average age of 28 ± 8 years. Ethnic/race distribution was 49% White, 27% Asian, 20% Black, and 4% other. Participants were primarily single (76%). Food security was low (31.9%) or very low (19.1%) at baseline; at post-test, participants reporting very low food secure dropped to 15.6%. Total HEI-2015 scores at baseline (55.9 ± 11.54) did not increase significantly after 10 weeks (57.7 ± 10.63) (P = 0.298). However, after 10 weeks, total vegetable scores significantly increased (2.64 ± 1.39 to 3.19 ± 1.33) (P = 0.023). There was no significant food security group effect (P = 0.49); however, there was a positive association between age and HEI post scores independent of the other model effects (β = 0.59 + 0.17; P = 0.001). Conclusions HEI-2015 total vegetable component scores increased with implementation of a food scholarship program. Nevertheless, many college students remained food insecure and overall diet quality needs improvement. Funding Sources Food donated by the Houston Food Bank.

scholarly journals Diet and Food Insecurity Among Residents of a Rural County

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 135-135
Author(s):  
Soghra Jarvandi ◽  
Kristen Johnson ◽  
Karen Franck
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Rural County ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Added Sugars ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Multiple Regression Models

Abstract Objectives Rural residents are more likely to experience food insecurity and the related risks for obesity than urban residents. The objective of this study was to explore the association between dietary intake and food insecurity in a sample of residents of a rural county in Tennessee. Methods We used data from an obesity prevention program in a rural county in Tennessee. Adults were recruited to complete a survey, via telephone or online, about lifestyle behaviors. Dietary data were collected using the 26-item National Cancer Institute (NCI) food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Household food security was assessed using the USDA six-item Short Form Food Security Survey Module. Respondents were classified as ‘food secure’ or ‘food insecure’. We used multiple regression models to assess the association between dietary intake (dependent variable) and food security (independent variable) in men and women separately. Models were controlled for age, race, and body mass index. Results Data from 448 surveys were included in the analysis. The respondents’ mean ± SD age was 55 ± 18 years, 60% were female, and 66% were White. Overall, the average daily intake was less than 2 cups equivalents for vegetables (1.54 ± 0.43), less than 1 cup equivalents for fruits (0.92 ± 0.40), and more than 15 teaspoons equivalents for added sugars (16.06 ± 6.36). In multiple regression models, household food insecurity was associated with lower intake of vegetables both in men (mean ± SE, secure vs. insecure 1.76 ± 0.05 vs. 1.57 ± 0.07, P = 0.02) and in women (1.42 ± 0.03 vs. 1.30 ± 0.04, P = 0.01). Household food insecurity was associated with higher intake of added sugars in women (16.74 ± 0.56 vs. 14.87 ± 0.43, P = 0.009), but not in men. Conclusions Food insecurity was a predictor of lower intake of fruits and vegetables among men and women, and higher intake of added sugars among women. These findings highlight the need to address food insecurity in rural areas by improving access to nutritious food. Funding Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevent (CDC).

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 Household food insecurity and dietary intake in Korea: results from the 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 3317-3325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Ja Kim ◽  
Kyungwon Oh
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Dietary Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Nutrition Examination Survey ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Health And Nutrition ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Daily Intakes

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the prevalence of household food insecurity and compare dietary intake by food security status in a representative Korean population.DesignCross-sectional. Food security status of households was classified using an eighteen-item food security questionnaire. The nutrition survey comprised questions on dietary habits, a 24 h dietary recall and a semi-quantitative FFQ.SettingThe 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.SubjectsA total of 3007 households completed the food security questionnaire. Family members within each household aged ≥1 year (n 7118) participated in the nutrition survey.ResultsResults from the 2012 survey indicated that 88·7 % of Korean households showed food security. The remaining 11·3 % (9·3 % for food insecurity without hunger and 2·0 % for food insecurity with hunger) were in food-insecure households. The prevalence of household food insecurity was 13·2 % in households with children and 10·3 % in households without children. Mean daily intakes of energy, fat and carbohydrates were not significantly different between food-secure and food-insecure adults. In contrast, mean daily intakes of protein, crude fibre, vitamins and minerals as well as weekly consumption frequencies of vegetables, seaweeds, fruits, fruit juice, nuts, and milk and milk products were significantly lower in food-insecure adults compared with food-secure adults.ConclusionsThe study demonstrated that food insecurity is associated with reduced intakes of healthy foods and nutrients essential for health and growth in a representative Korean population.

scholarly journals Perceived Food Insecurity, Dietary Quality, and Unfavorable Food Intake among Children and Adolescents from Economically Disadvantaged Households

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3411
Author(s):  
Chiu-Wen Yeh ◽  
Yuan-Ting C. Lo ◽  
Yi-Chieh Chen ◽  
Wei-Chih Chen ◽  
Yi-Chen Huang
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Economically Disadvantaged ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Dietary Quality ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Validated Questionnaire

Few studies have investigated food security, dietary quality, or unfavorable food intake through self-reports among children and adolescents in Asia. This study assessed the association of perceived food insecurity with dietary quality and unfavorable food intake among 1111 children and 538 adolescents from economically disadvantaged families in Taiwan. Food security status was collected by a validated questionnaire. Dietary quality was examined using a dietary diversity score (DDS). Unfavorable food intake was defined as fried food, bread/cake/pastries, sugar-sweetened beverages, and biscuits/chips. Food-insecure participants had lower DDS, whole grains and protein-rich food intake than food-secure participants. Furthermore, food-insecure children had a higher frequency of unfavorable food consumption. The level of children’s food insecurity was inversely associated with DDS (β: −0.047, 95% CI: −0.085 to −0.009) but positively with bread/pastry (β: 0.103, 95% CI: 0.022–0.184) and sugar-sweetened beverages (β: 0.117, 95% CI: 0.018–0.215) intake. Adolescents who reported food insecurity and not enough money for household expenses had an odds ratio of 2.85 (95% CI: 1.15–7.10) for poor DDS relative to their food-secure and financially able counterparts. We recommended that health policy needs to include diversifying food and nutrition education for vulnerable children and adolescents to improve dietary quality.

scholarly journals Does Students’ Home Zip Code Relate to Food Insecurity on Campus? Implications of Home Demographics on Food Insecurity in College

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 178-178
Author(s):  
Abigail Sarna ◽  
Jesse Stabile Morrell
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Security Index ◽  
Zip Code

Abstract Objectives To explore the relationship between students’ home zip code demographics and their food security status at a midsized, northeastern university. Methods Data were collected between 2018–2020 from the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey, an ongoing, cross sectional study at a midsized, public, northeastern university. As part of an online survey (Qualtrics) offered during the 3rd or 4th week of the semester, students completed the 6-item USDA Food Insecurity Questionnaire and provided the zip code associated with their primary residence prior to attending college. Students’ self-reported answers were used to categorize current food security status: food secure, low food secure, or very low food secure. A food security index was created from 13 unique sets of US Census data associated with zip codes. Each zip code was scored by sextiles for each census demographic and summed; final index values were assigned to each reported zip code and ranged from high to low risk of food insecurity (13–78). Results After exclusion of missing data, 687 students were included in the final analysis. The sample of predominantly female (62.0%), white (93.1%), first year (47.7%), and reported a zip code from the home state of the institution (39.9%). The mean food security index (±SD) of reported zip codes was 45.3 ± 8.9. In all, 18.8% reported food insecurity, (5.5% very low food security and 13.2% low food security), and 81.2% reported food security or marginal food security. Food insecurity was highest (21.8%) in students from zip codes most at risk for food insecurity based on the index, however, not significantly different from students from zip codes with the most food secure index score (18.8%). Conclusions Food insecurity among college students has been previously linked to poorer health, grades, and academic retention. More work is needed to elucidate the role of students’ prior place of residence to identify those at greatest risk of experiencing food insecurity on campus. Funding Sources The New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA National Institute of Food and Agricultural Hatch Project 1010738.

scholarly journals Effects of COVID-19 on University Student Food Security

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1932
Author(s):  
Elizabeth D. Davitt ◽  
Michelle M. Heer ◽  
Donna M. Winham ◽  
Simon T. Knoblauch ◽  
Mack C. Shelley
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
University Students ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
State University ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
White Ethnicity ◽  
Food Security Status

During COVID-19 restrictions in spring 2020, college students experienced closed dormitories and increased unemployment and many students moved in with their families. College students were vulnerable to food insecurity pre-pandemic and this study examined how the living situations and food security status changed for Midwestern university students due to COVID-19 restrictions. An email survey administered to Iowa State University students between the ages of 18 and 30 who physically attended campus prior to its closure produced 1434 responses. Students living with a parent or guardian increased by 44% and were less likely to experience food insecurity or less likely to work. They had lower stress and ate more home-cooked meals. Students living on their own had higher rates of food insecurity, greater stress, poorer health status, higher cooking self-efficacy, and worked more hours. Seventeen percent of all students were food insecure; related factors were non-White ethnicity, lower cooking self-efficacy, undergraduate status, receipt of financial aid, employment, stress, living in the same situation as before the campus closure, and consumption of more take-out or fast food. These individuals had more barriers to food access. Knowledge of these factors provide useful information to inform future support services for this population in similar conditions.

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