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.