Document Tag: food insecurity

Systematic investigation of inadequate food access at a large southeastern land grant university (2024)

Over the past decade, the impact of low food security on student well-being and academic
performance has become a growing concern at institutions of higher education across the
U.S. This mixed methods study adds to the growing body of evidence on the association
between student socio-demographic and economic characteristics and food security. An
online survey covering food access, student well-being, and housing security was sent to
35,337 undergraduate and graduate students at a large southeastern land grant university.
A total of 2,116 complete responses were received; a 6% response rate. The survey
responses also included 176 written statements by students. The survey found that 16% of
both undergraduate and graduate students had low or very low food security, as defined by
a modified USDA food security measure. The socio-demographic and economic characteristics that were linked to a higher likelihood of low food security included: having a GPA of
less than 3.0, having a disability, being an international student, being a first-generation student, being a transfer student, going into debt to pay for food, being a Black or African American student, having poor mental health, having uncertain living arrangements, and having
no medical insurance. Recommendations for enhancing student access to food, housing,
and mental health services are discussed.

Impact of food security on coping strategies: a comparison of high school and college perceptions (2024)

Objective: To examine coping strategies in relation to student experience of food insecurity during
the transitionary period from high school to college.
Participants: Freshmen undergraduates (n=231) enrolled in one of two public universities during
December of 2021, living in traditional student housing.
Methods: Participants were emailed a link to a USDA 6-item food insecurity and coping strategies
survey to investigate if students’ degree of food insecurity correlates to coping strategies used.
Questions were answered about experiences as a high school senior and college freshman. Data
was analyzed with group comparison tests.
Results: Food insecurity rates approximately doubled from students’ high school experience to
college. Students with lower food security during both their high school and college experience
were significantly more likely to practice coping strategies.
Conclusion: Improving education on utilization of available resources may help students obtain
adequate nutrition, decreasing their need to rely on coping strategies.

Characteristics associated with changes in food security status among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020)

The prevalence of food insecurity in the USA has increased
since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, past
studies have not examined how the food security status of
college students has been impacted. The purpose of this study
was to examine changes in the prevalence of food insecurity;
determine the proportion of students experiencing a change
in food security status; and identify characteristics associated
with changes in food security status from before to during
the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of college students.
We administered a cross-sectional online survey to students
from a large public university in the Southeastern USA. The
10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Module was used to assess
food security status during the spring 2020 semester both
before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students
self-reported a variety of individual characteristics. The overall
prevalence of food insecurity increased by approximately
one-third during the spring 2020 semester from before
to during the COVID-19 pandemic. When examining the
types of changes in food security status experienced by
students, 12% improved, 68% stayed the same, and 20%
worsened. A variety of characteristics were associated with an
improvement or worsening of food security status category
from before to during the pandemic. Similar to what is seen in
other reports, we found that the overall proportion of college
students in our sample experiencing food insecurity increased
during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some students
showed improvements in food security status. Approaches for
addressing food insecurity during and beyond the pandemic are
needed.

ECMC Foundation Basic Needs Initiative Evaluation Report 1: Sustaining Basic Needs Services at Postsecondary Institutions (2023)

In the past few decades, the cost of college has risen significantly, while federal, state, and institutional financial aid and family income have remained stagnant or declined (Goldrick-Rab, 2018). As a result, many college students struggle to afford the full cost of college attendance, which includes tuition and fees, expenses to cover food, housing, transportation, child care for student parents, school supplies and access to the internet, and other living expenses (Duke-Benfield & Sponsler, 2019). College students may experience basic needs insecurity, including the lack of access to healthy food, stable housing, reliable transportation, affordable child care, physical and mental health care services, the internet and technology, and other necessities they need to survive and thrive in a postsecondary academic setting. Meeting college students’ basic needs is essential to their well-being and ability to learn and succeed in college (Daugherty et al., 2016; Goldrick-Rab, 2021; Hallet & Freas, 2018; Haskett et al., 2020; Maroto et al., 2015; Phillips et al., 2018; Silva et al., 2017; Trawver et al., 2020; Zhu et al., 2018). To support students’ postsecondary success, ECMC Foundation launched the Basic Needs Initiative, funding seven organizations (hereafter “BNI grantees,” see sidebar) to further the development and sustainability of basic needs services at postsecondary institutions through direct service, technical assistance, and research.

A Call to Action: How Social Work Programs Can Respond to Student Food Insecurity (2024)

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated student food insecurity on college campuses and exposed the vulnerability of institutions with no food emergency response. During the COVID-19 pandemic and for years to come, the need for social work to lead efforts on college campuses to address student food insecurity is even greater. The need will continue to be significant for social workers in higher education to support students with basic needs, including resources for food, housing, childcare, and transportation. As has been true after other pandemics and economic downturns, professionally trained social workers are critical to brokering resources for individuals in crisis. This article critically examines the role of social work education in addressing the issue of student food insecurity. Through a conceptual lens, it explores the many dimensions of this problem and highlights vital contributions that social work can make within a higher education setting to alleviate food insecurity, enhance student well-being, and promote equitable opportunities for academic success.

Basic Needs Insecurity in Texas Community Colleges: Landscape Analysis (2023)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Texas community colleges increasingly focused on addressing students’ basic needs insecurities (BNI), such as food and housing insecurity, so that students could continue to make progress towards their academic goals. As colleges continue to recover from the pandemic lockdowns and prepare for the winding down of historic levels of government support, faculty, staff, and administrative leaders are poised to consider how best to refine, scale, and sustain their BNI service offerings to most effectively support student success.
Over the past decade, the research on BNI has grown dramatically, documenting the widespread prevalence of BNI among the student population, the negative effects of BNI on student outcomes, and promising solutions colleges have implemented to best support students. This report documents findings across several critical issue areas relevant for community college leaders to consider as they make plans for enhancing BNI service offerings.

Food Insecurity Among Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Trainees (2024)

IMPORTANCE Food 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.
OBJECTIVE To 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 PARTICIPANTS In 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.
EXPOSURE Sociodemographic characteristics of graduate students and postdoctoral trainees.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The 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.
RESULTS The 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 RELEVANCE In 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.

Cooking in College: Improving Access to Cooking May Reduce Food Insecurity at Universities (2024)

Compared to the U.S. population, food insecurity may be more prevalent among university students. Using a cross-sectional survey of 338 undergraduate students, this study assessed how various food preparation abilities are associated with the risk of food insecurity. Food insecurity (FI) (41.4%) and very low food security (VLFS) (21.0%) were prevalent. Loan borrowing predicted VLFS (OR = 2.234). Controlling for financial strain indicators, food procurement skills reduced FI (OR = 0.466) among male students. Among female students, employment positively predicted FI (OR = 1.677) and VLFS (OR = 1.966), while cooking facilities access reduced FI (OR = 0.436) and VLFS (OR = 0.433)

Institutional Initiatives Addressing Student Food Insecurity: A Qualitative Study Exploring Lived Experiences of Higher Education Professionals (2024)

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of higher education administrators involved in addressing food insecurity on campuses in the U.S. through the COVID-19 pandemic. As more higher education institutions begin to develop food insecurity and basic needs initiatives to enhance student success and persistence, sharing the perspectives of administrators overseeing programs provides a more holistic view of campus initiatives. Implications and recommendations for higher education practice and research are discussed.