scholarly journals Snack Consumption and Food Security Among College Students in the US During COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 176-176
Author(s):  
Lukkamol Prapkree ◽  
Rianna Uddin ◽  
Jafar Ali Ajaj Jaafar ◽  
Niliarys Sifre ◽  
Gabriel Corea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Snack Consumption ◽  
Unhealthy Snacks

Abstract Objectives During COVID-19 pandemic, most students have been confined to their home. This situation may affect snack consumption and food security. Our objective was to determine the associations among snack intake, snack accessibility and availability, household income, and food security status in US overweight college students aged 18–24 years. Methods A cross-sectional survey was assessed through online self-reported questionnaires via Qualtrics from June 2020 to January 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the frequency, percentages, and average of socio-demographic data, including household income and food security status and snack intake data. The associations among these variables were determined by logistic regression. Results A total of 157 students completed the survey but only 145 completed all questions in the survey. Most students were female (84.8%), Hispanics (37.2%), with a mean age of 21.5 ± 2.0 years. The majority reported a household income of <$50,000 (60.0%) and having a high food security status (66.2%). Average snack consumption was 2.3 ± 1.1 times per day with the highest common reported frequency of snacking 2–3 times per day (61.0%). Most reported that they knew how to choose a healthy snack (85.5%) but most (73.1%) reported that unhealthy snacks (i.e., chips, crackers, cookies, candy, chocolate, etc.) were more accessible and available to them than healthy snacks (i.e., fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grain, low sugary bars/cookies/crackers, etc.). After adjusting for age and gender, those with the highest food security had significantly lower odds of choosing unhealthy snacks (OR 0.05; 95% CI 0.01, 0.36) as compared to those with the lowest food security. Also, those with lower income (<$50,000) had significantly higher odds of choosing unhealthy snacks as compared to higher income (OR 3.35; 95% CI 1.51, 7.41). However, food security and income had no association with knowledge of identifying healthy or unhealthy snacks. Conclusions In this sample of college students, income and food security status was not related to their ability to know how to choose healthy snacks but low food security and low income were significantly related to the accessibility and availability of unhealthy snacks. Funding Sources Internal funds from Florida International University.

scholarly journals Snacking Practices and Diet Choices Among College Students at a Large University in South Florida: A Cross-Sectional Survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 713-713
Author(s):  
Christie Kirchoff ◽  
Elizabeth Goico ◽  
Cristina Palacios
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Snack Food ◽  
Low Fat ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Snack Consumption ◽  
Unhealthy Snacks ◽  
Unhealthy Snack

Abstract Objectives The college food environment plays an integral role in student dietary intake during the formative transition from adolescence to adulthood. During this time, students experience profound changes to their level of responsibility and autonomy while also establishing lifelong habits. These changes are of concern because obesity and chronic disease are the long term health consequences of poor patterns of eating, and yet research on this topic is sparse. This study aims to uncover the pattern of snack consumption and its influence on selecting healthier versions of snacks at a large Hispanic serving university in South Florida. Methods A cross-sectional survey was used to elicit self-reported snacking practices of college students via a web-based Qualtrics survey in the Spring of 2019. Statistical analysis using SPSS 25 included descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis performed to examine the frequency and percentages for dependent and independent variables. Logistic regression was run to determine the influence of the frequency and amount of unhealthy snack food consumption and choosing low-fat options. Results Of the 483 respondents (24% males), 93.4% reported consuming unhealthy snack foods at least once a week. Additionally, the pattern of snack consumption was 72% (383) chips and salty snacks, 65% (316) cookies, 64% (307) chocolate bars, and 58% (281) candies. The results also indicated that those who consumed unhealthy snacks more frequently were 1.85 times more likely to choose low-fat options than those who rarely consumed unhealthy snacks (AOR = 1.85, CI (1.04 – 3.30)). Conclusions These findings suggest that students are seeking healthier options even when snacking. As a responsible institution, the university can implement a snack policy that promotes a healthy diet and is in line with what students are seeking by offering more low-fat options. Funding Sources None.

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 Hubungan Faktor Sosial Ekonomi Dengan Ketahanan Pangan Rumah Tangga Pedagang Sayur Eceran di Pasar Oeba

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 115-123
Author(s):  
Febriyani Sitanaya ◽  
Utma Aspatria ◽  
Daniela L. A. Boeky
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Nutritional Knowledge ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
World Food Security

 The success of the development is influenced by several aspects, one of them is food security. Food security can be a reflection of the quality of a nation. A nation with low food security can influence its physical and human development. GFSI states that Indonesia occupies 69 positions in World Food security. Food security can not only be seen in terms of global area but also in terms of households. Greengrocer is the person who works in the informal sector and generally has low income. This research aims to see the relationship between income, family largeness, education, and nutritional knowledge of mothers toward greengrocers’ household food security in Oeba Market. This research is a qualitative research type that uses the cross-sectional approach. The research was conducted in Oeba Marketon 74 greengrocers as the sample. The data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analysis with chi-square statistical tests. The results showed that the income variable (p=0.016) was the variable that affected food security, while the variable that had no effect was family size (p=0.964), education (p=0.552), and nutritional knowledge (p=0.749). Household income is a source of meeting food and non-food needs. Household income is also able to influence the quality and quantity of food purchased. To achieve household food security, family empowerment needs to be given special attention because food shortages both in quantity and quality can inhibit the fulfillment of family nutrition which will result in poor nutritional status in family members.

scholarly journals A mediation analysis of spirituality, wellbeing, and academic performance in first-generation and low-income college students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Christopher Beggs
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Kansas City ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Low Income Students ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional

Mental health and attainment gaps comprise dual crises on today's college and university campuses, especially for first-generation and low-income students. Despite the common history and heritage of spirituality and religious foundations of America's colleges and universities, current norms and preferences have rendered candid discussions of spirituality to be, at best, passe, and, at worst, regressive. Despite extensive literature linking spirituality with psychological wellbeing, little is known as to what relationship, if any, spirituality has with psychological wellbeing and academic performance, particularly among first-generation and low-income students. This study uses a cross-sectional survey design. This study was conducted at a public, regional, Midwestern institution within an hour's driving radius of the Kansas City metropolitan area. Data were collected through a survey, rendering 135 participants. Quantitative analysis found that there was no statistical difference between first-generation or low-income students and their peers in spirituality or wellbeing, that spirituality that is or once was salient to the student was correlated with and predicts psychological wellbeing, that there was a relationship between psychological wellbeing and academic performance in specific circumstances, and that there was an indirect effect between spirituality and academic performance in the presence of psychological wellbeing. These data provide insight into the nature of the relationship between spirituality, wellbeing, and academic performance among college students and present implications for practitioners and researchers alike. [NEEDS DIACRITICS]

scholarly journals The importance of precision: differences in characteristics associated with levels of food security among college students

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (9) ◽  
pp. 1473-1483
Author(s):  
Jessica Soldavini ◽  
Maureen Berner
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
International Student ◽  
Weight Status ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
High Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Meal Plan ◽  
Level Variable

AbstractObjective:To estimate the prevalence of high, marginal, low and very low food security among a sample of college students and identify characteristics associated with the four different food security status levels and note differences in associations from when food security status is classified as food-secure v. food-insecure.Design:Cross-sectional online survey.Setting:A large public university in North Carolina.Participants:4829 college students who completed an online survey in October and November 2016.Results:Among study participants, 56·2 % experienced high, 21·6 % experienced marginal, 18·8 % experienced low and 3·4 % experienced very low food security. Characteristics significantly associated with food security status when using the four-level variable but not two-level variable were age, international student status and weight status. Characteristics that significantly differed between the marginal and high food security groups included age, race/ethnicity, year in school, international student status, employment status, financial aid receipt, perceived health rating, cooking frequency and participation in an on-campus meal plan. Characteristics with differences in significant associations between the low and very low food security groups were gender, international student status, having a car, weight status and participation in an on-campus meal plan. Even where similarities in the direction of association were seen, there were often differences in magnitude.Conclusions:We found differences in characteristics associated with food security status when using the four-level v. two-level food security status variable. Future studies should look separately at the four levels, or at least consider separating the marginal and high food-secure groups.

scholarly journals Sociodemographic and access-related correlates of sanitary pads among college students in Lucknow during Covid19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surbhi Garg ◽  
Ruqayya Alvi ◽  
Suman Gupta ◽  
Absar Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Low Income ◽  
List Type ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Menstrual Hygiene ◽  
Sanitary Napkin ◽  
Bivariate Logistic Regression ◽  
Sanitary Pads ◽  
Low Income Families

AbstractIntroductionSanitary napkin is an essential aspect of the Menstrual management materials for women and adolescent girls between menarche and menopause. Despite being an important issue concerning women and girls in the menstruating age group, access to menstrual hygiene products neglected during the COVID19 pandemic. Further, there is no evidence of the practice of menstrual hygiene products in Indian settings during this period. This paper investigates the prevalence of socio-demographic correlations of access to sanitary napkins among college students in Lucknow.MethodsAn online retrospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in Lucknow in September 2020. In total, 1439 participants took part in the survey. After removing 55 participants, those quit the survey by clicking on the disagree button and 13 were not satisfying inclusion criteria. So the final samples were 1371, which were included in the analysis. Students of UG and PG currently studying in colleges in the Lucknow were eligible to participate. The data collection was anonymous. Responses were analysed using descriptive and bivariate logistic regression.ResultsIn this study, 1371 students were included, making a response rate of 96.2 percent. Nearly 12.5 percent of students reported about difficulty encountered during the lockdown. Muslims, Father education illiterate or upto12th, father occupation as farmer, monthly salary less than 25 thousand, residence as rural, and history of reusable clothes were more likely to face problems to access sanitary pads during the lockdown in Lucknow (P < .05).ConclusionsDuring COVID-19 lockdown, about 12.5 % of girls were dependent on either locally available resources as absorbents during menstruation or paid more to access in Lucknow. Because of the lockdown, many people have lost their livelihood. More than ever, economically low-income families are reluctant to spend on sanitary pads, which is why few college girls were going back to their previous handling periods by using rags.HighlightsThe prevalence of menstrual management products during Covid19 were unknownWomen and Adolescents in India suffer the shortages of Sanitary napkin during lockdownPrevalence of access to sanitary pads should emphasis different focal points

Food Security Status and Hair Cortisol among Low-income Mother-Child Dyads

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 1813-1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiying Ling ◽  
Lorraine B. Robbins ◽  
Dongjuan Xu
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Mother And Child ◽  
Low Income Families

This cross-sectional study among low-income mother-child dyads examined the relationship between food security status and hair cortisol concentration (HCC), and how mother and child food security status was interactively related to mothers’ perceived distress and coping. Data from 32 dyads were analyzed. Approximately 46.9% had household food insecurity, 37.5% children had food insecurity, and 34.4% mothers had food insecurity. Children with food insecurity had significantly higher HCC than those with food security. A significant interaction effect occurred between child food security status and race on children’s HCC, with White children’s HCC being more likely to be influenced by food security status. Mother food security and child food security status together explained about 6% of the variance in mothers’ HCC, 27% in perceived distress, and 18% in perceived coping. These findings indicate that assisting low-income families with food insecurity to get enough food can benefit both children’s and mothers’ mental health.

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 Food Insecurity and Associated Factors Among University Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Ukegbu ◽  
Blessing Nwofia ◽  
Uchechi Ndudiri ◽  
Nnenna Uwakwe ◽  
Ada Uwaegbute
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
University Students ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status

Background: Food insecurity is a growing public health issue and a barrier to students achieving adequate nutrition. Data regarding food insecurity among university students in Nigeria are scarce. Objective: The study assessed the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among university students, southeast Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 398 randomly selected students recruited from 2 universities in southeast Nigeria was conducted. Food security status was assessed using the 10-item US Household Food Security Scale Module. Anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with food insecurity. Results: A majority of the students were categorized as food insecure. Of this, about 35.7% and 45.0% were considered to have low and very low food insecurity, respectively. Food insecurity was significantly associated with monthly allowance, daily amount spent on food, and source of income. The odds of food insecurity was significantly higher for students whose fathers were farmers (4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.453-14.737), but lower for those whose mothers were farmers (0.18, 95% CI: 0.059-0.564). Conclusion: The result provides an insight into the food security status of university students in Nigeria. The prevalence of food insecurity was high among the students. Therefore, further studies involving different urban and rural (and/or public and private) universities in Nigeria are suggested in order to have a deeper understanding of the magnitude and contributing factors among this population group.

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