The Long-Term Effect of Food Insecurity During College on Future Food Insecurity

Leung, Cindy W.; Insolera, Noura; Cohen, Alicia J.; Wolfson, Julia A.

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2021.05.038

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…2-4 Longitudinal research has highlighted FI’s role as a barrier to graduation and predictor of future FI. 5,6…”

Section: Purposementioning

confidence: 99%

“…[2][3][4] Longitudinal research has highlighted FI's role as a barrier to graduation and predictor of future FI. 5,6 Food insecurity disproportionately impacts students who are financially independent, low-income, and/or from marginalized groups. [2][3][4] Research from a large college health surveillance system from 27 2-and 4-year Minnesota colleges indicated 33% of first-generation college students experienced FI, as well as 42% of those identifying as transgender/nonbinary and 43% of non-Hispanic Black students, compared to an overall prevalence of 24%, 7 highlighting that students of different backgrounds and/or identities incur distinct challenges.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Trade-Offs Faced by 2-and 4-Year College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity: An Analysis of Qualitative Data

McGuire,

Stebleton,

Lenk

et al. 2023

Am J Health Promot

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Purpose To understand the trade-offs, defined as compromises or decisions students must make to prioritize one important need over another, as a result of economic constraints, food insecure (FI) college students experience and the perceived impact of these challenges on health, well-being, and academic achievement. Design 8 Semi-structured focus groups. Setting Seven 2- and 4-year Minnesota colleges. Participants 53 students initially screening positive for FI. Method The focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis, a systematic approach for identifying and analyzing patterns across qualitative data, was used through four analysis phases to identify themes and categories. Results We identified five themes within trade-offs: sacrificing food, missing out on relationships, sacrificing academic studies, choosing between basic needs, and maintaining physical and mental well-being. The trade-offs students described were multifaceted, caused notable stress and worry, and presented challenges to students’ well-being. Conclusion This study provides evidence on the complexities of FI among students and details on what students may be sacrificing as a result of making trade-offs. Understanding the trade-offs students are experiencing can help college staff to prioritize which issues to focus on to improve student health and academic performance.

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“…2-4 Longitudinal research has highlighted FI’s role as a barrier to graduation and predictor of future FI. 5,6…”

Section: Purposementioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Trade-Offs Faced by 2-and 4-Year College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity: An Analysis of Qualitative Data

McGuire,

Stebleton,

Lenk

et al. 2023

Am J Health Promot

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In a national study, food insecurity during college was a barrier to graduation, especially for first-generation students, 14 and predicted food insecurity in early to mid-adulthood. 15…”

Section: Purposementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In a national study, food insecurity during college was a barrier to graduation, especially for firstgeneration students, 14 and predicted food insecurity in early to mid-adulthood. 15 Many of the published studies on college food insecurity, noted above, are cross-sectional. A single measurement might not accurately capture college food insecurity due to academic breaks, varying family involvement, the nature of the transition away from family, variable free food opportunities, and changes in financial independence.…”

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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“…Prior studies have shown that college food insecurity is associated with lower academic performance, adverse health behaviors, and poor mental health . Exposure to food insecurity during college has also been associated with lower college graduation rates and higher risk of food insecurity in later adulthood . Despite this robust existing literature, most studies have been conducted among undergraduate students enrolled at 2- or 4-year public institutions; few studies have been conducted among students enrolled at private institutions, and even fewer studies have assessed food insecurity among graduate students .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Food Insecurity Among Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Trainees

Hammad,

Leung

2024

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceFood insecurity on college campuses has emerged as an urgent public health priority; however, there has been a lack of studies focused on graduate students or postdoctoral trainees, particularly those enrolled at private academic institutions.ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with food insecurity among graduate students and postdoctoral trainees at a private academic university in Boston, Massachusetts.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this cross-sectional survey study, a survey on food insecurity was sent to graduate students and postdoctoral trainees at 3 health-focused graduate schools at Harvard University during the end of the spring 2023 academic term (April to June). Participants were studying medicine, dental medicine, or public health. Data analysis was performed from July to September 2023.ExposureSociodemographic characteristics of graduate students and postdoctoral trainees.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was food insecurity as assessed using the US Household Food Security Survey Module. Food insecurity also encompassed low and very low food security. Bidirectional stepwise logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the factors associated with food insecurity for graduate students and postdoctoral trainees.ResultsThe analytic sample included 1745 participants (response rate, 55%): 1287 were graduate students and 458 were postdoctoral trainees. The median age of respondents was 29.0 (IQR, 7.0) years, and more than half (1073 [61.5%]) identified as female. A total of 694 respondents (39.8%) identified as Asian, 625 (35.8%) as White, and 426 (24.4%) as being of other race or ethnicity. The prevalence of food insecurity was 17.4% (224 of 1287) among graduate students and 12.7% (58 of 458) among postdoctoral trainees. Among graduate students, factors associated with food insecurity included being Asian (OR, 1.06 [95% CI, 1.01-1.11]) or of other race or ethnicity (OR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.02-1.13]), receiving financial aid (OR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.05-1.13]), and having housing instability (OR, 1.53 [95% CI, 1.45-1.61]). Among postdoctoral trainees, factors associated with food insecurity included receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (OR, 1.59 [95% CI, 1.28-1.97]), having housing instability (OR, 1.33 [95% CI, 1.22-1.45]), and not owning a car (OR, 1.11 [95% CI, 1.04-1.18]).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this study, a substantial proportion of graduate students and postdoctoral trainees at a private academic institution experienced food insecurity during the academic year. These findings underscore the need for national and institutional interventions to address the complex, structural factors related to food insecurity in these distinct populations.

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The Long-Term Effect of Food Insecurity During College on Future Food Insecurity

Cited by 14 publications

References 14 publications

Trade-Offs Faced by 2-and 4-Year College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity: An Analysis of Qualitative Data

Trade-Offs Faced by 2-and 4-Year College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity: An Analysis of Qualitative Data

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

Food Insecurity Among Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Trainees

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