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

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

Download Full-text

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

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/tbm/ibaa110 ◽

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.

Download Full-text

Food insecurity among households with children during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a study among social media users across the United States

Nutrition Journal ◽

10.1186/s12937-021-00732-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Niyati Parekh ◽

Shahmir H. Ali ◽

Joyce O’Connor ◽

Yesim Tozan ◽

Abbey M. Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Social Media ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Online Survey ◽

The United States ◽

Household Food Security ◽

United States Department ◽

Households With Children

Abstract Background In the United States, approximately 11% of households were food insecure prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to describe the prevalence of food insecurity among adults and households with children living in the United States during the pandemic. Methods This study utilized social media as a recruitment platform to administer an original online survey on demographics and COVID-related food insecurity. The survey was disseminated through an advertisement campaign on Facebook and affiliated platforms. Food insecurity was assessed with a validated six-item United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Household Food Security Survey Module, which was used to create a six-point numerical food security score, where a higher score indicates lower food security. Individual-level participant demographic information was also collected. Logistic regressions (low/very-low compared with high/marginal food security) were performed to generate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95%CIs for food insecurity and select demographic characteristics. Results Advertisements reached 250,701 individuals and resulted in 5,606 complete surveys. Overall, 14.7% of participants self-identified as having low or very low food security in their households, with higher prevalence (17.5%) among households with children. Unemployment (AOR:1.76, 95%CI:1.09–2.80), high school or lower education (AOR:2.25, 95%CI:1.29–3.90), and low income (AOR[$30,000-$50,000]:5.87, 95%CI:3.35–10.37; AOR[< $30,000]:10.61, 95%CI:5.50–20.80) were associated with higher odds of food insecurity in multivariable models among households with children (and the whole sample). Conclusions These data indicate exacerbation of food insecurity during the pandemic. The study will be instrumental in guiding additional research and time-sensitive interventions targeted towards vulnerable food insecure subgroups.

Download Full-text

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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17218268 ◽

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.

Download Full-text

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

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_086 ◽

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.

Download Full-text

Food Insecurity Associated with Screening Positive for a Possible Eating Disorder Among Students Attending a Large, Public University in the Midwest (P04-035-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.p04-035-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mikayla Barry ◽

Kendrin Sonneville ◽

Cindy Leung

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Eating Disorder ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Online Survey ◽

Family Income ◽

Positive Screen ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Food Security Status ◽

The University

Abstract Objectives Food insecurity is a critical concern for college students. Food insecurity is associated with stress, irregular eating patterns, weight change, and depression, making it a plausible risk factor for disordered eating in college students, who are already at high risk of eating disorders. We explored the relation between food insecurity and screening positive for a possible eating disorder among students attending a large, public Midwestern university. Methods Data were collected cross-sectionally via an online survey during the Winter 2018 semester. The analytic sample totaled 762 after excluding students with missing data for exposure or outcome. The 10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Survey Module was used to measure food security status, which was classified into four categories: food security, marginal food security, low food security, and very low food security. Participants were screened for the presence of a possible eating disorder using the 5-item SCOFF questionnaire, with a positive screen defined as ≥2 affirmative answers. We used Poisson regression to model the prevalence of SCOFF positive screens and item-level affirmative responses by food security categories, adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, family income, and first-generation status. Results A higher prevalence of positive SCOFF screens was observed among students with marginal food security (PR 1.76, 95% CI 1.67, 1.86), low food security (PR 1.62, 95% CI 1.53, 1.72), and very low food security (PR 2.79, 95% CI 2.65, 2.94), after adjusting for demographic characteristics. Food insecurity was also positively related to prevalence of affirmative responses for four SCOFF items. Conclusions This study shows that college students with food insecurity are more likely to screen positive for a possible eating disorder compared to food secure students. More research is needed to understand the complicated relationship between these two food-related constructs among college students. Funding Sources This study was supported by a grant from Poverty Solutions at the University of Michigan. One co-author was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Download Full-text

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

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa120 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (8) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

Download Full-text

College Students With Disabilities Report Higher Rates of Food Insecurity

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_094 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 186-186

Author(s):

Grace Stott ◽

Jesse Stabile Morrell

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Students With Disabilities ◽

Online Survey ◽

Short Form ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Disability Status ◽

College Students With Disabilities ◽

Students With A Disability

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

Download Full-text

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

Advances in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/advances/nmz111 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 327-348 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Cassandra J Nikolaus ◽

Ruopeng An ◽

Brenna Ellison ◽

Sharon M Nickols-Richardson

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Short Form ◽

Average Rate ◽

Psychometric Testing ◽

The United States ◽

Representative Sampling ◽

Study Characteristics

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

Download Full-text

College Campus Food Insecurity and Body Mass Index, Financial Assistance, and Ethnicity (P04-042-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.p04-042-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Mary Fontenot ◽

Emily Woods

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Body Mass ◽

Online Survey ◽

College Campus ◽

Financial Assistance ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the prevalence of hunger among college students attending Louisiana Tech University located in Louisiana. Hypothesis 1: There will be no significant difference in BMI between those that are considered food insecure versus those that consider themselves food secure. Hypothesis 2: There will be no significant difference in ethnicity between those that are food insecure versus those that are food secure. Hypothesis 3: There will be no significant difference between degree of food security and whether or not financial assistance is received. Degree of food insecurity includes either being food secure or being food insecure. Methods Outcomes compared included BMI, ethnicity, and financial assistance in relation to food secure and food insecure participants. Students participated in an online survey distributed through the school email system. Survey questions were adapted from the USDA food security survey. Results Food insecure participants had an average BMI of 27.6 + 7.4, suggesting a link between food insecurity and having a greater body mass index. No association between food insecurity and financial assistance but 89% of those who identified as food insecure receiving financial aid. Further, the number of those who were food insecure and white was greater than those who were food insure and black, indicating that food insecurity does not discriminate. Conclusions Research is needed to explore circumstances contributing to food insecurity among college students. Funding Sources N/A.

Download Full-text

Determining Student Food Insecurity at Memorial University of Newfoundland

Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research ◽

10.3148/cjdpr-2018-026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 80 (1) ◽

pp. 14-21

Author(s):

Lisa Blundell ◽

Maria Mathews ◽

Claire Bowley ◽

Barbara Roebothan

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Newfoundland And Labrador ◽

Online Survey ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Income Source ◽

Student Groups ◽

Memorial University Of Newfoundland ◽

Eligible Student

Purpose: Our study compared the prevalence of food insecurity among 3 student groups attending Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN): International (INT), Canadian out-of-province (OOP), and Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). Factors associated with food insecurity were also investigated. Methods: Data were collected via an online survey distributed to an estimated 10 400 returning MUN students registered at a campus in St. John’s, NL. Respondents were recruited through e-mails, posters, and social media. Ten questions from the Canadian Household Food Security Survey Module adult scale were asked to assess food security. Logistic regression was used to compare rates of food insecurity between the three population subgroups. Results: Of the 971 eligible student respondents, 39.9% were food insecure (moderate or severe). After controlling for program type, parental status, living arrangement, and primary income source, OOP and INT students were 1.63 (95% CI = 1.11–2.40) and 3.04 (95% CI = 1.89–4.88) times more likely, respectively, to be food insecure than NL students. Conclusions: Approximately 40% of participating MUN students experienced food insecurity, a higher proportion than reported for the overall provincial population. Groups at high risk of food insecurity include INT students, students with children, and those relying on government funding as their primary income.

Download Full-text