Food Security Characteristics Vary for Undergraduate and Graduate Students at a Midwest University

The study objective was to determine prevalence of food insecurity and its associations with socioecological model (SEM) characteristics for undergraduate and graduate students. An online questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of students aged 18–34 at a Midwestern university. Of the 938 responses, 675 were complete for analysis. Outcome measures included demographics, food security level, housing, food access barriers, coping strategies, and food assistance program usage. Results found that predictors associated with undergraduate food insecurity included non-White race, receipt of financial aid, lower self-reported health status, living off-campus, employment, and food cost (p < 0.001). Graduate student food insecurity was associated with Asian self-identification, employment, food cost, no time to prepare foods, and lack of foods for dietary needs (p < 0.001). Students with food insecurity were more likely to buy cheap food (p < 0.001). Almost 50% of food-insecure undergraduates asked friends or family to help buy food. Food-insecure students were more likely to want information on meal preparation and budgeting. More graduate students were likely to know of and use food pantries. Overall, food insecurity was higher among undergraduate than graduate students. Universities should consider institutional and policy changes tailored to the separate populations to mitigate the prevalence of campus food insecurity.

Download Full-text

Time to eat? The relationship between food security and food-related time use

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012005599 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 66-72 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Timothy KM Beatty ◽

M Susie Nanney ◽

Charlotte Tuttle

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Time Use ◽

Low Income ◽

Assistance Program ◽

Data Set ◽

Meal Preparation ◽

Benefit Level ◽

The Relationship ◽

Time Eating

AbstractObjectivesIn the present analysis, we seek to establish a relationship between time spent on food-related activities and food security status as well as between time spent on these activities and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly called the Food Stamp Program) participation and benefit level.DesignAfter matching similar households using Coarsened Exact Matching, we estimate the relationship between food-related time, food insecurity and SNAP participation and benefit level using a comprehensive data set that combines two subsets of the Current Population Survey from years 2004–2010: the Food Security Supplement and the American Time Use Survey.SettingCity, suburban and rural areas of the USA.SubjectsNon-institutionalized US population over the age of 15 years. Total sample size is 10 247 households.ResultsIn single households, food insecurity and SNAP participation are associated with 20 % more time in meal preparation and 13 % less time eating. Similarly, in married households, SNAP participation and benefit level are associated with 32 % less time in meal preparation while food insecurity is associated with 17 % less time eating and 14 % less time in grocery shopping.ConclusionsA significant relationship exists between time spent on food-related activities and food insecurity and SNAP. This implies that federal and state government may need to consider the time constraints many low-income households face when reforming food assistance programmes.

Download Full-text

Low Food Security and Diet Quality Among Midwest University Students (P04-051-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.p04-051-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Molly Hiller ◽

Donna Winham ◽

Mack Shelley

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

University Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Living Arrangements ◽

Online Survey ◽

Dietary Quality ◽

Security Level ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Dietary Recommendations ◽

Study Objective

Abstract Objectives Recent reports indicate US students in higher education experience greater levels of food insecurity than the general populace. Chronic food insecurity can adversely affect health, dietary quality, and academic performance. The study objective was to describe student's food security level and diet, and determine associations with demographic characteristics, BMI, living arrangements, employment, year in school, and campus college. We hypothesized that: 1) students with high food security are consuming less healthy foods because of the price, availability and convenience of unhealthy options; 2) students living on campus are more food secure than those living off campus; 3) students who are employed are more likely to be food insecure than those unemployed. Methods An online survey with questions on demographics, food security, dietary intakes, purchasing habits, and shopping patterns was developed. All students in the College of Business and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, aged 18–34, were sent a direct email invitation to participate in the Survey Monkey (Palo Alto, CA) survey. Results Of the 946 responses received, 684 (72.3%) had complete data on the variables of interest. Few meet daily dietary recommendations for fruit and vegetable servings (11%), fiber (27%), and eating less than 36% of total calories from fat (50%). Over 31% of participants reported low or very low food security in contrast to 11.8% nationally. Significant findings include: students who are employed are more likely to be in the low and very low food secure category (P = .006), and those students with a higher BMI had lower food security (P = .030). Students using the university meal plans had higher fat diets than those students not using a meal plan (P = .001). Over 32% of students on campus have not, but are interested in receiving information on budgeting, and 16.2% would like to know who to talk to if they are facing problems accessing enough food. Conclusions The majority of Iowa State University students consume too much dietary fat and do not meet fruit/vegetable, or fiber recommendations. There is a need to provide information, resources, and food options to students having difficulty accessing food. Funding Sources Partial research support for the project was provided by the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, Project Number IOW04002, Ames, Iowa.

Download Full-text

Does Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reduce Food Insecurity among Households with Children? Evidence from the Current Population Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18063178 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 3178

Author(s):

Jun Zhang ◽

Yanghao Wang ◽

Steven T. Yen

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Current Population Survey ◽

Population Survey ◽

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽

Supplemental Nutrition ◽

Assistance Program ◽

Current Population ◽

Households With Children ◽

Nutrition Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to improve household diet and food security—a pressing problem confronting low-income families in the United States. Previous studies on the issue often ignored the methodological issue of endogenous program participation. We revisit this important issue by estimating a simultaneous equation system with ordinal household food insecurity. Data are drawn from the 2009–2011 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS), restricted to SNAP-eligible households with children. Our results add to the stocks of empirical findings that SNAP participation ameliorates food insecurity among adults only, but increases the probabilities of low and very low food security among children. These contradictory results indicate that our selection approach with a single cross section is only partially successful, and that additional efforts are needed in further analyses of this complicated issue, perhaps with longitudinal data. Socio-demographic variables are found to affect food-secure households and food-insecure households differently, but affect SNAP nonparticipants and participants in the same direction. The state policy tools, such as broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) and simplified reporting, can encourage SNAP participation and thus ameliorate food insecurity. Our findings can inform policy deliberations.

Download Full-text

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

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa043_133 ◽

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 < .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 < .001). APS scores were negatively associated with marginal food security and food insecurity for both undergraduate and graduate students (P < .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.

Download Full-text

Dietary Supplement Use among U.S. Children by Family Income, Food Security Level, and Nutrition Assistance Program Participation Status in 2011–2014

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu10091212 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1212 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Shinyoung Jun ◽

Alexandra Cowan ◽

Janet Tooze ◽

Jaime Gahche ◽

Johanna Dwyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Low Income ◽

Family Income ◽

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Security Level ◽

Program Participation ◽

Supplemental Nutrition ◽

Assistance Program ◽

Nutrition Assistance

This analysis characterizes use of dietary supplements (DS) and motivations for DS use among U.S. children (≤18 years) by family income level, food security status, and federal nutrition assistance program participation using the 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. About one-third (32%) of children used DS, mostly multivitamin-minerals (MVM; 24%). DS and MVM use were associated with higher family income and higher household food security level. DS use was lowest among children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP; 20%) and those participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC; 26%) compared to both income-eligible and income-ineligible nonparticipants. Most children who used DS took only one (83%) or two (12%) products; although children in low-income families took fewer products than those in higher income families. The most common motivations for DS and MVM use were to “improve (42% or 46%)” or “maintain (34 or 38%)” health, followed by “to supplement the diet (23 or 24%)” for DS or MVM, respectively. High-income children were more likely to use DS and MVM “to supplement the diet” than middle- or low-income children. Only 18% of child DS users took DS based on a health practitioner’s recommendation. In conclusion, DS use was lower among children who were in low-income or food-insecure families, or families participating in nutrition assistance programs.

Download Full-text

Perceptions of the Food Environment and Access among Predominantly Black Low-Income Residents of Rural Louisiana Communities

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17155340 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (15) ◽

pp. 5340

Author(s):

Denise Holston ◽

Jessica Stroope ◽

Matthew Greene ◽

Bailey Houghtaling

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Focus Group ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Food Environment ◽

Food Access ◽

The United States ◽

Grocery Store ◽

Assistance Program ◽

Nutrition Assistance

Food insecurity in rural settings is complex and not fully understood, especially from the perspective of low-income and Black residents. The goal of this study was to use qualitative methods to better understand experiences with food access and perceptions of the food environment among low-income, predominately Black rural Louisiana residents in the United States. Data were collected from focus group discussions (FGD) and focus group intake forms. Study participants were all rural residents eligible to receive at least one nutrition assistance program. FGD questions focused on perceptions of the food environment, with an emphasis on food access. Participants (n = 44) were predominately Black and female. Over half (n = 25) reported running out of food before the end of the month. Major themes included: store choice, outshopping, methods of acquiring foods other than the grocery store, and food insecurity. Concerns around price, quality, and transportation emerged as factors negatively impacting food security. Understanding residents’ perceptions and experiences is necessary to inform contextually appropriate and feasible policy and practice interventions that address the physical environment and social conditions that shape the broader physical food environment in order to achieve equitable food access and food security.

Download Full-text

Understanding academic reading in the context of information-seeking

Library Review ◽

10.1108/lr-03-2016-0026 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 65 (8/9) ◽

pp. 502-518 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Irene Lopatovska ◽

Deanna Sessions

Keyword(s):

Graduate Students ◽

Digital Media ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Reading Practices ◽

Electronic Resources ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Content Type ◽

Academic Tasks ◽

Digital Texts

Purpose A study examined reading strategies in relation to information-seeking stages, tasks and reading media in an academic setting. Understanding reading practices and needs in the context of information-seeking can refine our understanding of user choices and preferences for information sources (e.g. textbooks, articles, multimedia content) and media (e.g. print and digital tools used for reading). It can also help to examine the changes in reading practices brought about by digital devices and content. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected via an online questionnaire from a sample of graduate students over the course of two months. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings The authors found that all information-seeking stages and all academic tasks were characterised by a combination of “deep” and “surface” reading and a use of both print and electronic resources. Contrary to previous studies that linked digital media to “surface” reading (e.g. skimming, searching for keywords), the participants reported a high number of “deep” reading tactics (e.g. annotating, connecting text to prior knowledge) while using digital resources. Research limitations/implications The study relied on a convenience sample of library and information science students, so some findings can be attributed to the sample’s demographics and academic demands. The findings imply that at all stages of information-seeking for all academic tasks, graduate students were engaged in both deep and surface reading using both print and electronic resources. Practical implications The findings show that students read print and digital texts, suggesting that it might be premature for academic libraries to part with their print collections. Understanding relationships between academic task, information-seeking and reading can aid students in choosing the right reading resources for their academic tasks, educators in assigning appropriate materials for course projects, libraries in providing appropriate resources to their readers and information retrieval system designers in offering useful features for different reading needs and styles. Social implications The findings indicate a shift in academic work culture and reliance on digital texts for deep and surface reading. Originality/value The study produced preliminary support for the development of a unified information-seeking and reading model.

Download Full-text

Social Disparities and Food Environment Determinants of Food Insecurity Among Graduate Students in the United States During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_015 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 107-107

Author(s):

Morgan Boncyk ◽

Savannah Froese ◽

Ramya Ambikapathi ◽

Cristiana Verissimo ◽

Evidence Matangi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Graduate Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Graduate Student ◽

Research University ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

The United States ◽

Healthy Diet ◽

Social Disparities ◽

Purdue University

Abstract Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening food insecurity and exacerbating social disparities. This study investigated the pandemic's impact on food insecurity, disparities, and determinants among graduate students at Purdue University, a public research university. Methods Purdue University graduate students completed a Graduate Student Experience in the Research University Survey (gradSERU) in Apr-Jun 2019 and the Fostering Food Security, Health, and Resilience in Graduate Education (FORGE) survey in Nov-Dec 2020, which assessed students’ food security, mental and physical health, and academic performance. A validated two-question tool measured food insecurity based on worry over or experience of running out of food without the ability to purchase more. Analyses using logistic regressions were performed in StataSE16. Results Food insecurity among graduate students doubled from spring 2019 (17%) to fall 2020 (36%, P < 0.001), increasing for all races, genders. Odds of food insecurity in 2020 were higher among students who were African American (OR: 5.7, 95% CI 3.2–10.1), Asian (OR 3.1 [2.1–4.8]), Hispanic or Latino (OR 3.0 [1.8–4.0]), international (OR 1.5 [1.2–1.8]), LGBTQ+ (OR 1.9 [1.4–2.6]), caregiving for adults (OR 2.7 [1.9–3.6]), or funded through fellowships or assistantships (vs. personally funded, OR 1.5 [1.1–2.0]). Food insecure students faced greater stress (OR 3.5 [3.0–4.2]) and reduced ability (OR 0.6 [0.5–0.8]) to attain a healthy diet, with reduced access to stores with fruits and vegetables (OR 0.7 [0.6–0.9]) or considered good quality (OR 0.4 [0.3–0.5]). Food insecure students were more likely (OR 6.7 [5.2–8.6]) or vegetables (OR 8.1 [6.1–10.9]) due to cost. Lack of time (52%), culturally desired foods (11%), and transportation (10%) were limitations to a healthy diet. Conclusions Graduate student food insecurity increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among international, minority, and LGBTQ + students, and coincided with lower likelihood of purchasing nutritious foods. Universities should implement policies and services to address persistent and increasing food insecurity and disparities among graduate students. Funding Sources Protect Purdue Innovations Faculty Grant.

Download Full-text

Food Assistance Programs and Food Security

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199838509.013.012 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Craig Gundersen

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

The United States ◽

Food Assistance ◽

Negative Consequences ◽

Food Assistance Programs ◽

Assistance Program ◽

Assistance Programs ◽

Nutrition Assistance

Food insecurity is a leading public-health challenge in the United States today. This is primarily due to the magnitude of the problem—about 50 million persons are food insecure—and the serious negative health and other outcomes associated with being food insecure. This chapter first defines the measure used to delineate whether a household is food insecure. The measure, the Core Food Security Module (CFSM), is based on 18 questions about a household’s food situation. From the responses, a household is defined as food secure, low food secure, or very low food secure, with the latter two categories defined as “food insecure.” I next discuss the extent of food insecurity in the United States across various dimensions, the key determinants of food insecurity, and the multiple negative consequences associated with food insecurity. Two of the key policy tools used to address food insecurity are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) and the National School Lunch Program. A brief overview and definition of the eligibility criteria for each program is provided along with a discussion of their respective impacts on food insecurity. This chapter concludes with four major current challenges pertaining to food insecurity and food assistance programs.

Download Full-text

SNAP Participation Moderates the Association Between Household Food Insecurity and A1c Among Cambodian Americans With Depression

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 105-105

Author(s):

Angela Bermudez-Millan ◽

Richard Feinn ◽

Chelsey Hahn ◽

Shanjida Arbie Jui ◽

S. Megan D. Berthold ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Health Workers ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Household Food Insecurity ◽

Assistance Program ◽

Cambodian Americans ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Objectives We tested whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) moderated the relation between household food security status and HbA1c, the gold standard measure of glycemic control, among Cambodian Americans with depression enrolled in a diabetes prevention trial. Methods Participants had elevated risk factors for type 2 diabetes and elevated depressive symptoms; recruits were excluded for extant diabetes. Community health workers assessed household food security status and SNAP participation via in-person interview. HbA1c levels from venous blood samples were ascertained using direct enzymatic assay. Results Among respondents (n = 189), 19% were food insecure, 41% received SNAP benefits, and mean HbA1c = 5.5%. There was a significant interaction between SNAP and food insecurity. HbA1c was highest among participants without SNAP who were food insecure. Simple effects analysis revealed a significant difference within the no SNAP group [Mean (SD) HbA1c: Secure = 5.38 (0.38), Insecure = 5.78 (0.36)] and no difference within the SNAP group [Secure = 5.61(0.44), Insecure = 5.61(0.55)]. Differences remained significant after controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical indicators. Conclusions SNAP may protect against the deleterious association between household food insecurity and elevated HbA1c. Funding Sources R01-DK103663 to Dr. Julie Wagner.

Download Full-text