Title: Food Insecurity Among College Students: A Growing Problem on College Campuses
Author: [Your Name]
Institution: [Your University]
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine rates of food insecurity among undergraduate college students and to identify demographic factors associated with higher rates of food insecurity. Methods: Undergraduate students (N = 563) from a large public university completed an online survey assessing demographics and food security status using the USDA 6-item short form food security scale. Bivariate analyses examined associations between demographics and food insecurity. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of very low food security. Results: Overall, 39.4% of students reported some level of food insecurity in the last 12 months. In multivariate analysis, identifying as Hispanic/Latino (OR = 2.09), financially independent from parents/guardians (OR = 1.59), annual income under $10,000 (OR = 3.52), and living off campus without family (OR = 2.09) significantly predicted very low food security. Conclusions: Food insecurity is a serious problem affecting a substantial portion of college students, with disproportionate impacts on marginalized groups. Increased awareness and support are needed from college administrators, policymakers, and community organizations to alleviate food insecurity and promote student well-being and success.
Food Insecurity Among College Students: A Growing Problem on College Campuses
College is typically considered a time of new opportunities and personal growth. For many students, College also brings financial struggles that compromise basic needs like food security. In recent years, research has begun to uncover high rates of food insecurity among American college students that raise serious concerns about student health, academic performance, and overall well-being. This study examined prevalence of food insecurity among undergraduates at a large public university and identified demographic factors associated with very low food security.
Review of Literature
Studies in the last decade have found consistently high rates of food insecurity among college students ranging from 21-59% depending on the sample and assessment tool used (Bruening et al., 2017; El Zein et al., 2018; Goldrick-Rab et al., 2019). The most robust national data come from the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, which surveys students at over 100 community colleges and four-year universities annually. In 2019, they found that 42% of students at two-year colleges and 36% at four-year institutions experienced food insecurity in the previous month (Goldrick-Rab et al., 2019). While these rates are alarmingly high, research also indicates that food insecurity disproportionately impacts already marginalized groups.
Students who are financially independent, Hispanic/Latino, low-income, unemployed, have dependents, and live off-campus without family are at especially high risk of food scarcity (Bruening et al., 2018; Davidson & Morrell, 2020; Freudenberg et al., 2019; Patton-Lopez et al., 2014). Furthermore, experiencing food insecurity as a college student is associated with adverse academic consequences including lower grades, more failed classes, slower credits accumulated, and reduced persistence to graduation (Goldrick-Rab et al., 2018). Food insecurity has also been linked to poor physical and mental health as well as housing instability among undergraduates (Cady, 2014; Cruz et al., 2019; Wood et al., 2018). Overall, existing literature clearly shows that food insecurity poses a significant barrier to degree completion and well-being, especially for marginalized students.
Method
Participants and Procedures
After receiving IRB approval, a survey battery was distributed via email to all 20,345 currently enrolled undergraduate students at a large public research university in Fall 2020. The email invited participation with the chance to enter a drawing for one of 25 $25 Amazon gift cards. Of the 5,563 students who initiated the survey (27.3% response rate), complete data was available for analysis from 563 undergraduate participants.
The online survey gathered demographic information including gender, age, race/ethnicity, parental education level, financial dependence status, income, living situation, employment status, and enrollment status. It also assessed past-year and past-month food security status using the validated 6-item USDA Short Form Scale (Bickel et al., 2000).
Measures
Food Security. The 6-item USDA Short Form Scale assessed food security status over the past 12 months and past 30 days based on participants’ responses to items like “The food that I bought just didn’t last, and I didn’t have money to get more” on a Likert scale from 1 (Never true) to 5 (Often true). Scores were summed and followed USDA guidelines to categorize respondents as high/marginal food security (score 0-1), low food security (score 2-4), or very low food security (score 5-6) reflecting increasing severity of food deprivation.
Demographics. Demographic questions gathered data about age, gender, race/ethnicity, parental education level, citizenship status, financial dependence from parents or other financial support, personal income, living situation, employment, financial concern for basic needs. Additional questions assessed enrollment status (full or part time), GPA, financial aid receipt, and food assistance program participation.
Data Analysis
Descriptive statistics characterized the sample demographics and prevalence of food insecurity. Bivariate analyses using chi-square tests examined unadjusted associations between demographics and very low food security. Multivariate binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of very low (vs. high/marginal or low) food security status while controlling for other factors. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26 with significance level set at p < .05.
Results
Participant Demographics
The sample (N=563) had an average age of 20.4 years (SD=2.9). Most identified as female (70.9%) and the majority identified their race/ethnicity as White (51.9%), Hispanic/Latino (23.6%), Asian (12.6%), Black/African American (7.8%), or Other (3.9%). In terms of parental education levels, 28.4% reported that neither parent had a college degree, 31.3% that one parent had a degree, and 40.3% that both parents had earned at least a bachelor's degree.
Over half (56.1%) of students were financially dependent on parents or other support while 43.9% were independent. Annual personal incomes were distributed as: less than $10,000 (43.9%), $10,000-19,999 (18.8%), $20,000-29,999 (11.4%), $30,000 or more (25.9%). Most students lived either on-campus in dorms/university housing (36.1%) or off-campus without family (38.7%), while 25.2% lived off-campus with family. Part-time employment was reported by 47.8% of respondents.
Andrew Stroud