Prevalence and Correlates of Food Insecurity Among U.S. College Students: A Multi-institutional Study

Background: College students may be vulnerable to food insecurity due to limited financial resources, decreased buying power of federal aid, and rising costs of tuition, housing, and food. This study assessed the prevalence of food insecurity and its sociodemographic, health, academic, and food pantry correlates among first-year college students in the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among first-year students (n = 855) across eight U.S. universities. Food security status was assessed using the U.S. Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security Survey Module. Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Eating Attitudes Test-26 were used to assess perceived stress, sleep quality, and disordered eating behaviors, respectively. Participants self-reported their grade point average (GPA) and completed questions related to meal plan enrollment and utilization of on-campus food pantries. Results: Of participating students, 19% were food-insecure, and an additional 25.3% were at risk of food insecurity. Students who identified as a racial minority, lived off-campus, received a Pell grant, reported a parental education of high school or less, and did not participate in a meal plan were more likely to be food-insecure. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and meal plan enrollment indicated that food-insecure students had significantly higher odds of poor sleep quality (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43–3.76), high stress (OR = 4.65, 95% CI: 2.66–8.11), disordered eating behaviors (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.20–4.90), and a GPA \u3c 3.0 (OR = 1.91, 95% CI: 1.19–3.07) compared to food-secure students. Finally, while half of the students (56.4%) with an on-campus pantry were aware of its existence, only 22.2% of food-insecure students endorsed utilizing the pantry for food acquisition. Conclusions: Food insecurity among first-year college students is highly prevalent and has implications for academic performance and health outcomes. Higher education institutions should screen for food insecurity and implement policy and programmatic initiatives to promote a healthier college experience. Campus food pantries may be useful as shortterm relief; however, its limited use by students suggest the need for additional solutions with a rights-based approach to food insecurity. Trial Registration: Retrospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02941497

Why Are Hungry College Students Not Seeking Help? Predictors of and Barriers to Using an On-Campus Food Pantry

Background: The number of food pantries on U.S. college campuses has increased in response to students’ food insecurity, but limited information is available to describe the impact of this resource. The objective of this cross-sectional investigation was to examine the relationship between food insecurity and food pantry awareness, use, and perceived barriers to use. Methods: Students attending the University of Florida in fall 2017 (n = 899) completed the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Adult Food Security Survey and responded to questions about food pantry awareness and use. Sociodemographic data were also collected and included in multivariate logistic regression models. Results: While most students (70%) were aware of the existing food pantry, nearly a third of respondents were classified as being food insecure. After adjusting for sociodemographic correlates, factors such as identifying as being food insecure, international status, and receiving a student loan or a need-based federal financial aid (Pell grant) increased the likelihood of utilizing the campus food pantry. Despite these predictors, only 38% of food insecure students reported food pantry use. Among students who provided qualitative insights, four main barriers to using the on-campus food pantry were identified: social stigma, insufficient information on pantry use policies, self-identity, and inconvenient hours. Conclusions: Food security interventions and administrative policy should consider a new model of the traditional campus food pantry that reduces concerns of social stigma and is supported by clear and ongoing communications of operational procedures tailored for the college student population

Obstacles to university food pantry use and student-suggested solutions: A qualitative study.

BackgroundIn the absence of federal programs and policies to alleviate college student food insecurity, the number of food pantries has grown rapidly in the United States. Yet, no studies, to date, have qualitatively examined students' experiences with this resource.ObjectiveTo explore college students' perspectives on barriers to using an on-campus food pantry and provide insights into student-suggested solutions.MethodsIn this qualitative study, 41 college students were recruited from a large public university in the southeastern US with a campus food pantry. Students participated in one-on-one, in-person, semi-structured interviews. All interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, managed using NVivo 12, and analyzed using inductive, semantic thematic analysis.ResultsMost students were classified as food insecure (n = 33, 82.5%), and two-thirds identified as pantry users (at least once). The students' reasons for not using the food pantry indicated resistance and access barriers. Students either 'chose not to use' the campus food pantry due to (i) stigma and shame, (ii) perceived insufficient need, (iii) and unsuitable food or they experienced 'barriers' due to (i) lack of knowledge and (ii) limited food access. The main reason reported by food insecure non-pantry users was feelings of stigma and shame while that of food insecure pantry users was limited food access. Students suggested three solutions to minimize barriers experienced when utilizing the campus food pantry. These included (i) spreading awareness about the pantry through positive marketing messages that de-stigmatize use, (ii) improving accessibility of fresh produce and protein options, and (iii) improving access through satellite locations and online ordering systems.ConclusionThese barriers need to be systematically addressed to normalize food pantry use. Consideration of student recommendations by university program developers and policymakers may be of added value to expand access to food by college students with food insecurity

Differences in Measured and Self-Categorized Food Security Status and Related Coping Strategies among College Students

Qualitative studies suggest that college students with food insecurity (FI) experience stigma and misinterpret some of the USDA Adult Food Security Survey Module (AFSSM) questions, leading to misclassification of food security (FS) status. We aimed to evaluate differences in AFSSM-measured FS status and self-categorized FS status (based on USDA descriptions of the four FS levels) among college students, and to identify differences in the coping strategies and BMI of these students. Data were collected cross-sectionally from a convenience sample via web-based, self-reported surveys. Measured FS, self-categorized FS, coping strategies, and self-reported BMI were key variables of interest. Participants were 1003 undergraduate and graduate students (22.2 ± 4.6 years; 65.7% female). Of the participants measured as food insecure (40.0%), 57.8% self-categorized as food secure (MFI-SFS) and 42.2% self-categorized as food insecure (MFI-SFI). Significantly more MFI-SFI participants were AFSSM-categorized as having very low FS when compared to MFI-SFS participants (71.6% vs. 46.6%, p < 0.05). MFI-SFI participants reported significantly higher BMI (M = 24.7, SD ± 6.0 kg/m2) and coping strategies scores (M = 49.8, SD ± 7.5) when compared to MFI-SFS participants (M = 23.1, SD ± 3.6 kg/m2; M = 46.9, SD ± 7.5, respectively, p ≤ 0.01). Assessment of and interventions to address FI among college students should consider the potential influence of self-perception and students’ interpretation of survey questions