Beyond the Meal Plan: Prevalence and Determinants of Food Insecurity on an Urban Campus
Abstract
Background: Food insecurity, defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food” is an important public health problem among U.S. collegiate students, with estimates ranging from 14% to over 50% across institutions. Food insecurity is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes and may impact academic performance. Effective interventions in at institutions of higher education are necessary to address food insecurity and promote student health and well-being.
Methods: A web-based survey was conducted on an urban university campus to estimate the prevalence, drivers, and effects of food insecurity among a convenience sample of students (n = 463). The survey was developed in collaboration with the on-campus food pantry, providing actionable data points to help improve campus services.
Results: Using the USDA Six-item Food Security Survey Module, 59.4% of students (n=252) experienced food insecurity, with 32.3% of students (n=137) experiencing very low food security. Food insecurity was significantly higher among Black-identifying students (67.7% vs. 53.5% among non-Black students, p = 0.005) and undergraduates (63.5% vs. 46.0 % among graduate students, p = 0.003) and significantly lower among Asian-identifying students (45.7% vs. 63.8% among non-Asian students (p = 0.001). Of the 304 students providing an affirmative response to any food security item, 71.7% experienced fatigue, 53.3% experienced stress, and 21.7% reported academic challenges. 33.8% of students (n=132) were unaware of the on-campus food pantry.
Conclusions: Food insecurity was alarmingly high, especially among undergraduate students with knowledge gaps related to campus resources. Food insecurity has adverse effects on students related to stress and academic performance. Findings, including student input on advertising available resources, will be shared with University leadership to improve awareness and effectiveness of services.
Keywords
Food insecurity, hunger, higher education
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Beyond the Meal Plan: Prevalence and Determinants of Food Insecurity on an Urban Campus
Background: Food insecurity, defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as “a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food” is an important public health problem among U.S. collegiate students, with estimates ranging from 14% to over 50% across institutions. Food insecurity is associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes and may impact academic performance. Effective interventions in at institutions of higher education are necessary to address food insecurity and promote student health and well-being.
Methods: A web-based survey was conducted on an urban university campus to estimate the prevalence, drivers, and effects of food insecurity among a convenience sample of students (n = 463). The survey was developed in collaboration with the on-campus food pantry, providing actionable data points to help improve campus services.
Results: Using the USDA Six-item Food Security Survey Module, 59.4% of students (n=252) experienced food insecurity, with 32.3% of students (n=137) experiencing very low food security. Food insecurity was significantly higher among Black-identifying students (67.7% vs. 53.5% among non-Black students, p = 0.005) and undergraduates (63.5% vs. 46.0 % among graduate students, p = 0.003) and significantly lower among Asian-identifying students (45.7% vs. 63.8% among non-Asian students (p = 0.001). Of the 304 students providing an affirmative response to any food security item, 71.7% experienced fatigue, 53.3% experienced stress, and 21.7% reported academic challenges. 33.8% of students (n=132) were unaware of the on-campus food pantry.
Conclusions: Food insecurity was alarmingly high, especially among undergraduate students with knowledge gaps related to campus resources. Food insecurity has adverse effects on students related to stress and academic performance. Findings, including student input on advertising available resources, will be shared with University leadership to improve awareness and effectiveness of services.
