scholarly journals Risk Factors for Food Insecurity in Undergraduate Students at a Rural Liberal Arts Institution (P04-050-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Heying ◽  
Emma Backes
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Liberal Arts ◽  
Rural Setting ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Liberal Arts Institution ◽  
Campus Resources

Abstract Objectives The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and accompanying risk factors among undergraduate students at a private liberal-arts institution in a rural setting. Methods A cross-sectional research design was used to analyze the food security status and potential risk factors of undergraduate students. Participants completed an online survey distributed via email. The USDA Six-item Household Food Security Module was used to assess food security status. The perceived stress scale (PSS) assessed perceived stress levels. Participants were also asked about demographics, employment status, living situation, and on or off campus dining options. Results 532 respondents met the criteria for the study (14.5% of total undergraduate enrollment). 35% of female participants (n = 335) and 47% of male participants (n = 197) from the total sample were considered food insecure at some time during the semester. 3rd/4thyear students were more likely to be food insecure than 1st/2nd year students (P = 0.03). Factors that increased risk for food insecurity were: being a student of color, first-generation, working more than 16 hours per week, higher levels of perceived stress, and having a meal-plan that did not provide unlimited access to on-campus dining, Conclusions Food insecurity was prevalent in at least one third of participants at an undergraduate liberal arts institution in a rural community. Institutions in rural communities need to further explore the root of food insecurity to alleviate potential hunger and malnutrition, as these students often depend on on-campus resources due to lack of off-campus resources in the near vicinity. Funding Sources This study was funded through a “Becoming Community” grant to the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University provided by the Carnegie Mellon Foundation.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity: Is It a Threat to University Students’ Well-Being and Success?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5627
Author(s):  
Nor Syaza Sofiah Ahmad ◽  
Norhasmah Sulaiman ◽  
Mohamad Fazli Sabri
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Food Security ◽  
University Students ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Binary Logistic Regression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Food Security Status

Food insecurity is a growing concern among university students. The high prevalence of food insecurity is a threat to students’ health and success. Therefore, this study aims to determine an association between food security status, psychosocial factors, and academic performance among university students. A total of 663 undergraduate students in seven randomly selected faculties in Universiti Putra Malaysia participated in this study. An online survey was conducted to obtain demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, food security status (six-item USDA; food security survey module, FSSM), psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety and stress scale, DASS-21) and academic performance. Among the abovementioned participating students, 32.4% are male. About 62.8% reported to have experienced food insecurity. Binary logistic regression revealed that students whose fathers were working (AOR = 6.446, 95% CI: 1.22, 34.01) came from low- (AOR = 14.314, 95% CI: 1.565, 130.954) and middle-income groups (AOR = 15.687, 95% CI: 1.720, 143.092), and those receiving financial aid (AOR = 2.811, 95% CI: 1.602, 4.932) were associated with food insecurity. Additionally, food insecurity students were less-likely reported, with CGPA ≥ 3.7 (AOR = 0.363, 95% CI: 1.22–34.014). Food insecurity respondents had higher odds for stress (AOR = 1.562, 95% CI: 1.111, 2.192), anxiety (AOR = 3.046, 95% CI: 2.090, 4.441), and depression (AOR = 2.935, 95% CI: 2.074, 4.151). The higher institutions should identify students with food insecurity problems and future intervention programs need to be conducted to combat food insecurity among students, thus yielding benefits to their health and success.

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 AB0657 PERCEIVED STRESS AND FOOD INSECURITY IN PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM WOMEN WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1360.3-1361
Author(s):  
L. G. Espinosa Banuelos ◽  
P. R. Ancer Rodríguez ◽  
M. G. Herrera López ◽  
C. M. Skinner Taylor ◽  
L. Pérez Barbosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Household Food

Background:The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has directly impacted the psychological and physical health of individuals worldwide, as well as the global economy. Food insecurity rates have risen especially in vulnerable countries like Mexico. Furthermore, social isolation and economic uncertainty have multiplied depression and anxiety disorders. Pregnant and postpartum women are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, increased stress, depression, and anxiety.Objectives:The aim of this study is to determine the perception of food insecurity (FI) and perceived stress in pregnant and postpartum women with rheumatic disease during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.Methods:An observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted. Patients from to the pregnancy and rheumatic diseases clinic of the University Hospital “Dr. José E. González” in Northeast Mexico evaluated between August to October 2020 were included. The Spanish validated versions of the Household Food Security Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were applied by telephonic interview. The WHO recommendations were employed to determine the appropriate intake for each food group in a week. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine normality of the data. The Spearman correlation coefficient and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 29 women were included. Six (20.6%) women were found to have moderate or severe degrees of food insecurity. In addition, 12 (40.30%) perceived moderate and severe levels of stress in the PSS-10. No relationship was found between food insecurity and perceived stress (p= 0.059). The food groups that exceeded the recommended weekly frequency were oils and sugars exceeded 3.9 and 2.9 frequencies, respectively.Conclusion:We found that 20.6% women suffered household food insecurity and 40.3% suffered moderate and severe levels of stress. No relationship was found between food insecurity with the HIFAS scale and perceived stress measures with the PSS-10. We found that oils and sugars exceeded more by the double of the recommended frequency per week.References:[1]Pérez-Escamilla R, Cunningham K, Moran VH. COVID-19 and maternal and child food and nutrition insecurity: a complex syndemic. Matern Child Nutr. 2020;16(3):e13036. doi:10.1111/mcn.13036[2]Adams EL, Caccavale LJ, Smith D, Bean MK. Food Insecurity, the Home Food Environment, and Parent Feeding Practices in the Era of COVID-19. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2020;28(11):2056-2063. doi:10.1002/oby.22996Table 1.Socio-demographic characteristics and scale results.Age, years, mean (SD)27.5 (7.03)Diagnosis, n (%)RA16 (55.1)SLE7 (24.4)Others6 (20.6)Results per scalesHFIAS, n (%)No risk13 (44.8)Mild10 (34.4)Moderated3 (10.3)Severe3 (10.3)EPP-10, n (%)Mild17 (58.6)Moderated9 (31.0)Severe3 (10.3)SD: standard deviation, RA: Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE: Systemic lupus erythematosus, HFIAS: Household food security access component scale, EPP-10: Perceived stress scale 10 items.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

scholarly journals Measuring household food security: the global experience

2008 ◽  
Vol 21 (suppl) ◽  
pp. 27s-37s ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Melgar-Quinonez ◽  
Michelle Hackett
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
New Research

Measuring household food insecurity represents a challenge due to the complexity and wide array of factors associated with this phenomenon. For over one decade, researchers and agencies throughout the world have been using and assessing the validity of variations of the United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Supplemental Module. Thanks to numerous studies of diverse design, size, and purpose, the Household Food Security Supplemental Module has shown its suitability to directly evaluate the perceptions of individuals on their food security status. In addition, challenges and limitations are becoming clearer and new research questions are emerging as the process advances. The purpose of this article is to describe the development, validation procedures, and use of the Household Food Security Supplemental Module in very diverse settings. The most common Household Food Security Supplemental Module related studies have been conducted using criterion validity, Rasch modeling and Cronbach-Alpha Coefficient. It is critical that researchers, policy makers, governmental and non-governmental agencies intensify their efforts to further develop tools that provide valid and reliable measures of food security in diverse population groups. Additional work is needed to synthesize a universally applicable tool able to capture the global human phenomenon of food insecurity.

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.

Abstract P317: An Activity Space Approach to Assessing the Food Environments of Food Secure and Insecure Women

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilana G Raskind ◽  
Michelle C Kegler ◽  
Michael R Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Spatial Behavior ◽  
Activity Space ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Food Environments ◽  
Spatial Mobility ◽  
Activity Spaces ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Space Approach

Introduction: Community food environments (FE) are an important correlate of diet- and weight-related CV health. Conventional approaches to measuring the FE focus on residential neighborhoods, and do not assess the full extent of food sources regularly encountered and used. Further, little attention has been given to how individual diet-related experiences, like food insecurity, may interact with features of the FE to affect health. To address these limitations, we use an activity space approach, defined by the locations women routinely visit, to measure FE exposure and use, and assess differences by food security status. Hypothesis: Food-related spatial behavior and features of the FE differ between a) conventional and activity space definitions, and b) food secure and insecure women. Methods: We present initial results (n=51) from an ongoing clinic-based study of low-income African American women in Atlanta, GA. Data are collected in-person using a Google Map-powered activity space questionnaire. USDA’s 10-item adult scale is used to measure food insecurity. Retail FE data are from Dun & Bradstreet. ArcGIS 10.5 was used to define three environments: residential census tract (CT), and convex hull polygons of overall and food-specific activity spaces. We tested differences, by food security status, in mean behaviors and FE features with one-way ANOVAs. Results: Eighty-eight percent of women were food insecure. Food insecure women were lower income, less often employed, and less often had access to a car. CTs contained fewer supermarkets (μ=1.2 SD =1.4) and fast food restaurants (μ=3.9 SD =3.2) than activity spaces (μ=7.9 SD =7.0; μ=55.5 SD =44.1, respectively). On average, 6.7% ( SD =13.5) of utilized food sources fell within CT bounds, while 53.4% ( SD =35.5) fell within activity spaces. Compared to food secure women, food insecure women had smaller overall (μ=329.8km 2 SD =340.4 vs. μ=548.3km 2 SD =422.4; p =0.16) and food-specific (μ=48.1km 2 SD =74.3 vs. μ=85.6km 2 SD =106.4; p =0.28) activity spaces, and a smaller proportion of their utilized supermarkets fell within their activity spaces (μ=60.9% SD =42.4 vs. μ=81.9% SD =21.4; p =0.24). FE features did not differ by food security status. Conclusions: Conventional FE definitions likely underestimate the number of food sources women encounter, and do not capture the majority of sources used. Smaller activity spaces among food insecure women suggest that routine spatial mobility may be constrained by factors like transportation access. Still, food insecure women more often traveled outside of their activity spaces to utilize supermarkets, suggesting a dual burden of constrained spatial mobility and access. Interestingly, FE features did not differ by food security status. In planned future analyses, any observed differences in diet and weight may indicate variation in how women interact with the FE, rather than differences in exposure.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Risk Factors for Food Insecurity in Puerto Ricans Living in the USA from Baseline to 5-Year Follow-Up

2020 ◽  
Vol 150 (8) ◽  
pp. 2199-2203
Author(s):  
Nan Dou ◽  
Dixin Xie ◽  
Xiang Gao ◽  
Natalia Palacios ◽  
Luis M Falcon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Symptom ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Puerto Rican ◽  
Symptom Score ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Psychosocial Risk ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
The Usa

ABSTRACT Background Food insecurity is prevalent among Puerto Rican adults in the USA and is associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes. However, the direction of this association has not been established in this understudied population. Objectives In this study, we aimed to examine the longitudinal association between a group of psychosocial risk factors and subsequent food insecurity in a cohort of Puerto Rican adults. Methods Secondary analysis was conducted using data from the prospective Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. A total of 517 Puerto Rican participants aged 45–75 y in the Boston area who were food secure at baseline, and who completed food security surveys at baseline and 5 y were included. Psychosocial factors, including depressive symptoms, stress, tangible social support, and acculturation were assessed with validated instruments. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the risk of food insecurity at 5 y, as a function of psychosocial factors at baseline and their changes over 5 y, adjusting for age, sex, education, baseline and change in total annual household income, and in family size. Results The cumulative incidence of food insecurity at 5 y was 12.6%. The odds of incident food insecurity was significantly associated with baseline depressive symptom score [OR = 1.78 (1.16, 2.76) per each 10 score units], with change in depressive symptom score [OR = 1.50 (1.07, 2.09) per each 10-unit increase], and with change in perceived stress [OR = 1.59 (1.01, 2.51) per each 10-unit increase], after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion In this cohort of Puerto Rican adults, depressive symptoms at baseline, and increases in depressive symptoms and perceived stress over 5 y were associated with a higher risk of food insecurity. Psychosocial health and environment appear to play important roles in predicting risk of food insecurity in the Puerto Rican community.

scholarly journals Food Security Status is Associated with Academic Performance in Undergraduate and Graduate Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 282-282
Author(s):  
Jessica Soldavini ◽  
Maureen Berner
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
University Of North Carolina ◽  
High Food ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Chapel Hill ◽  
Food Security Status

Abstract Objectives To assess the association between food security status and outcomes related to academic performance in undergraduate and graduate students. Methods This cross-sectional analysis used data from 4897 students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who completed an online questionnaire in October and November of 2016. Food security status was assessed using the 10-item US Adult Food Security Survey Module. Students were classified as experiencing high food security, marginal food security, or food insecurity. Students rated their perceived academic performance using a 4-item academic performance scale (APS) that included items related to overall progress towards graduating on time, class attendance, attention span, and understanding of concepts taught in class. Students also self-reported GPA, whether they had taken fewer classes to save tuition money, and demographic information. Multinomial logistic regression and multiple linear regression assessed the association between food security status and academic performance-related outcomes separately for undergraduate and graduate students. GPA was only examined for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Statistical significance was considered P &lt; .05. Results The proportion of students reporting high food security, marginal food security, and food insecurity was 52%, 25%, and 23%, respectively, for undergraduate students and 62%, 17% and 21%, respectively, for graduate students. GPA was negatively associated with experiencing marginal food security (P = .009) and food insecurity (P &lt; .001). APS scores were negatively associated with marginal food security and food insecurity for both undergraduate and graduate students (P &lt; .001). Undergraduate and graduate students who experienced marginal food security and food insecurity were significantly more likely to select lower ratings for perceived academic performance on each APS scale item and report sometimes or often taking fewer classes to save tuition. Conclusions Experiencing marginal food security and food insecurity were negatively associated with outcomes related to academic performance among both undergraduate and graduate students. Funding Sources University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Food for All micro-grant.

scholarly journals Household food security status and associated factors among high-school students in Esfahan, Iran

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1609-1613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assieh Mohammadzadeh ◽  
Ahmadreza Dorosty ◽  
Mohammadreza Eshraghian
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
School Students ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Food Insecure Households

AbstractObjectiveThe present study was designed to determine household food security status and factors associated with food insecurity among high-school students in Esfahan, Iran.DesignCross-sectional surveys.SettingThe present study was conducted in autumn 2008 in Esfahan, Iran. The samples were selected using systematic cluster sampling. Socio-economic questionnaires, food security questionnaires and FFQ were filled out during face-to-face interviews. In addition, data on participants’ weights and heights were collected.SubjectsA total of 580 students (261 boys and 319 girls) aged 14–17 years from forty high schools in Esfahan, Iran, were selected.ResultsThe prevalence of household food insecurity according to the US Department of Agriculture food security questionnaire was 36·6 % (95 % CI 0·33, 0·40). Food insecurity was positively associated with number of members in the household (P < 0·05) and negatively associated with parental education level and job status and household economic status (P < 0·05). Moreover, students living in food-insecure households more frequently consumed bread, macaroni, potato and egg (P < 0·05), while they less frequently consumed rice, red meat, sausage and hamburger, poultry, fish, green vegetables, root and bulb (coloured) vegetables, melons, apples and oranges, milk and yoghurt (P < 0·05).ConclusionsFood insecurity was prevalent among households in Esfahan, Iran, and food security status was associated with socio-economic factors. Students who belonged to food-secure households more frequently consumed healthy foods (except sausage and hamburger), whereas those living in food-insecure households more frequently consumed cheap foods containing high energy per kilogram. The present study suggests that intervention programmes be designed and carried out.

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