A Decade of College Student Hunger: What We Know and Where We Need to Go

Abstract

The first article on college food insecurity, published in 2009, sparked conversation on the dark secret many students face while seeking a college degree; they do not have secure access to food. Over 10 years later, numerous investigators around the globe have reported on the heightened prevalence of college food insecurity, the correlates that increase risk, and the detrimental outcomes associated with not having a secure source of food. In this manuscript, we describe the decade of research devoted to college food insecurity and provide direction for research, programs, and policies moving forward. Replicable and valid data collection methods must be utilized, campus-based program evaluation implemented and disseminated, and evidence-based policies supported to achieve realistic goals of warding off hunger and food insecurity on college campuses as well as improve the lives of individuals after post-secondary education. Collectively, stakeholders on college campuses as well as off-campus advocates can be the catalyst to creating a nutritionally secure environment and it is imperative that food insecurity be prevented on college campuses to ensure college students are able to achieve degree attainment.

Creating a culture that supports food security and health equity at higher education institutions

“…Sustainable approaches to creating a culture of food security and health equity are essential on college campuses. This type of approach requires moving beyond addressing basic needs (1)(2) . Instead, the aim would be to create a culture of food security on college campuses that supports students' nutritional needs, with a focus on health equity which provides "the personal agency and fair access to resources and opportunities needed to achieve the best possible physical, emotional, and social well-being" (3) .…”

“…The overall impact of food insecurity among college students is still being studied, however, research to date has suggested that food insecurity during college impedes student health and academic success during college. For example, students who report being food insecure are more likely to have diminished academic achievement including lower GPA, behavioral problems, mental health concerns, and overall poorer self-rated general health (1,2,11,15,25) . Additionally, students report struggling with high levels of stress and disrupted sleep quality which have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic (26) .…”

“…Campuses across the country have already implemented a wide range of programming to aid students in accessing food to alleviate food insecurity, such as food pantries, campus gardens, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980022002294 Published online by Cambridge University Press Accepted manuscript farmers' markets, meal share or voucher programs, and mobile food applications (1)(2)33) . There are also student-led food insecurity initiatives and programs, including campus gleaning, food recovery efforts, food lockers, and meal deliveries (1,(33)(34)(35) . Although these campus-based initiatives exist and are growing in popularity, little data is available on the impact these programs have on the food security status of participants (1)(2)(36)(37) since evaluation strategies across campuses are inconsistent (38) .…”

“…There are also student-led food insecurity initiatives and programs, including campus gleaning, food recovery efforts, food lockers, and meal deliveries (1,(33)(34)(35) . Although these campus-based initiatives exist and are growing in popularity, little data is available on the impact these programs have on the food security status of participants (1)(2)(36)(37) since evaluation strategies across campuses are inconsistent (38) . Furthermore, college students have voiced the need for further interventions to address inadequate financial resources, unrealistic food costs on campus, meal plan inflexibilities, and the need to learn life skills while in college (36) .…”

“…This makes food insecurity a crucial social determinant of health to target for public health professionals. Reports of food insecurity on college campuses have been documented for over a decade (1) . First thought to be an anomaly, repeated stories of food insecurity among college students have since driven researchers to examine this public health concern on their campuses.…”