Food insecurity and mental health among young adult college students in the United States

Oh, Hans; Smıth, Lee; Jacob, Louis; Du, Jinyu; Shin, Jae Il; Zhou, Sasha; Koyanagi, Ai

doi:10.1016/j.jad.2022.02.009

Cited by 28 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Additionally, lack of social support or low social support have been found to influence students’ mental health negatively during the pandemic [ 11 , 13 ]. Economic stressors such as food insecurity, low economic status and, worsening financial situation have also been observed to affect students’ mental health adversely [ 11 , 12 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. Some studies have also reported students’ use of media and access to information to have an influence on their mental health, with more exposure to media coverage associated with greater chances of poor mental health outcomes [ 10 , 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

University Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the UniCoVac Qualitative Study

Gogoi

Webb

Pareek

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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The worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020 affected all major sectors, including higher education. The measures to contain the spread of this deadly disease led to the closure of colleges and universities across the globe, disrupting the lives of millions of students and subjecting them to a new world of online learning. These sudden disturbances coupled with the demands of a new learning system and the experiences of living through a pandemic have placed additional strains on the mental health of university students. Research on university students’ mental health, conducted during the pandemic, have found high levels of stress, anxiety and depression among students. In this qualitative study, we aimed to understand how pandemic experiences have affected student well-being by conducting in-depth interviews with 34 undergraduate students enrolled in a UK university. All interviews were conducted through Microsoft Teams and recorded with prior permission. Transcripts of recorded interviews were thematically analysed which identified two broad themes: (i) University students’ mental health and well-being experiences during the pandemic; (ii) factors that influenced students’ mental health and well-being. These factors were further distributed across six sub-themes: (a) isolation; (b) health and well-being; (c) bereavement; (d) academic concerns; (e) financial worries and; (f) support, coping, and resilience. Our study identifies the importance of mental health support to university students during pandemics and calls for measures to improve access to support services through these crisis points by universities. Findings can also inform students’ mental health and risk assessments in the aftermath of the pandemic.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

University Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the UniCoVac Qualitative Study

Gogoi

Webb

Pareek

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Specifically, we selected health outcomes that have been significantly associated with college food insecurity in cross-sectional studies. 6,8,9,12,13,20…”

Section: Purposementioning

confidence: 99%

Persistent and Changing Food Insecurity Among Students at a Midwestern University is Associated With Behavioral and Mental Health Outcomes

Slotnick,

Ansari,

Parnarouskis

et al. 2023

Am J Health Promot

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Purpose To assess associations between persistent and changing food insecurity and behavioral and mental health outcomes in college students. Design Online surveys conducted November 2018 and March 2019 (freshman year), and March 2020 (sophomore year) were used to assess food insecurity, which was then used to create 4 food security transitions: persistent food insecurity, emergent food insecurity, emergent food security, and persistent food security. Setting Large Midwestern university. Sample 593 students completing all 3 surveys. Measures Dietary intake and behavioral and mental health outcomes (eating disorders, anxiety, depression, sleep quality) were assessed using validated instruments. Analysis Associations between food security transitions and dietary intake, behavioral, and mental health outcomes were examined using generalized linear models. Results Compared to persistent food security, emergent and persistent food insecurity was associated with lower (7% and 13% respectively) intake of fruits and vegetables combined; persistent food insecurity was associated with 17% lower intake of fruits, 6% lower intake of fiber and 10% higher intake of added sugar from beverages. Compared to persistent food secure students, eating disorder symptom risk was higher for emergent food insecure (OR = 7.61, 95% CI: 3.32, 17.48), and persistent food insecure (OR = 6.60, 95% CI: 2.60, 16.72) students; emergent (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.71) and persistent (OR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.34, 4.87) food insecure students had higher odds of poor sleep quality, and persistent food insecure, emergent food insecure, and emergent food secure students had higher odds of anxiety and depression (OR range 2.35-2.85). Conclusion Food security transitions were associated with aspects of low diet quality and poorer behavioral and mental health outcomes among college students.

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“…Although many population sub‐groups are at increased risk of FI, observational studies conducted across the globe, particularly in the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Canada and Greece, have shown an increase in the prevalence of FI in those attending university (Ahmad et al., 2021; El Zein et al., 2019; Hughes et al., 2011; Oh et al., 2022; Riddle et al., 2020; Shi et al., 2021; Sprake et al., 2018; Ukegbu et al., 2019; Weaver et al., 2020). Globally, the prevalence of FI among university students is variable ranging from 12.5% to 84% (Bruening et al., 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Globally, the prevalence of FI among university students is variable ranging from 12.5% to 84% (Bruening et al., 2017). However, factors associated with the development of FI among the university student population are not fully understood, although the limited studies conducted so far have outlined financial hardship, socio‐economic status, race, sexual orientation, cooking ability and unemployment as the biggest predictors (Ahmad et al., 2021; El Zein et al., 2019; Hughes et al., 2011; Oh et al., 2022; Reeder et al., 2020; Riddle et al., 2020; Shi et al., 2021; Sprake et al., 2018; Ukegbu et al., 2019; Weaver et al., 2020; Wolfson et al., 2022, 2023). The increased financial burden of university study along with the lack of funds to consistently access affordable and nutritious food and unhealthy eating habits, may in turn negatively affect student academic performance, physical health and mental health including depression, stress and anxiety (Ahmad et al., 2021; El Zein et al., 2019; Hughes et al., 2011; Oh et al., 2022; Riddle et al., 2020; Shi et al., 2021; Sprake et al., 2018; Ukegbu et al., 2019; Weaver et al., 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the prevalence and potential drivers of food insecurity and the relationship with mental wellbeing in UK university students: A cross‐sectional study

Aldubaybi,

Coneyworth,

Jethwa

2024

Nutrition Bulletin

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Food insecurity (FI) among university students in the United States has been associated with poor mental wellbeing, but very little is known about the relationship between FI and mental wellbeing in the UK university population. Here we examined the prevalence of FI, determined potential drivers for it and its relationship with mental wellbeing and coping ability. Students studying at UK universities (n = 289) completed an online self‐reported questionnaire to obtain socio‐economic characteristics including financial status, FI status (Household Food Insecurity Access scale), mental wellbeing (Warwick‐Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale) and coping ability (coping flexibility scale). FI was observed in 28% of the participants and was associated with financial independence, running out of money, borrowing money and lacking confidence to purchase healthy foods (p < 0.05). Although we cannot determine directionality, logistic regression analysis revealed those who were judged as FI were more likely to shop often (OR = 3.139 95% CI 1.533–6.429), never snacked between meals (OR = 4.261 95% CI 1.309–13.875) and the amount of food purchased was affected by perceptions of the price of food in general (OR = 2.954 95% CI 1.675–5.210). Financial instability and the inability to access nutritious food may contribute to the decrease in mental wellbeing (p < 0.01) and lower ability to cope with stressful situations (p < 0.01) in food‐insecure students although the direction of these relationships cannot be determined from this cross‐sectional study. This study has identified that there is a need to develop appropriate strategies to combat FI in university students and to improve mental health.

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Food insecurity and mental health among young adult college students in the United States

Cited by 28 publications

References 47 publications

University Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the UniCoVac Qualitative Study

University Students’ Mental Health and Well-Being during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from the UniCoVac Qualitative Study

Persistent and Changing Food Insecurity Among Students at a Midwestern University is Associated With Behavioral and Mental Health Outcomes

Assessing the prevalence and potential drivers of food insecurity and the relationship with mental wellbeing in UK university students: A cross‐sectional study

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