Document Tag: food insecurity

Food and housing insecurity among community college student-veterans (2024)

In this manuscript, the authors examined the rates of food and housing insecurity experienced by student-veterans enrolled at community colleges in fall 2020. The results of a multi-institutional survey of student-veterans at 113 community colleges suggested that 37.6% of community college student-veterans experienced food insecurity and 52.5% of community college student-veterans experienced housing insecurity. Additionally, 17.8% of community college student-veterans experienced homelessness in the past year. The results also suggest that community college student-veterans who experienced food and housing insecurity had lower grade point averages, higher rates of clinically significant generalized anxiety disorder, and higher rates of clinically significant major depressive disorder. Examples of strategies to support community college student-veterans experiencing food and housing insecurity are included.

Are we meeting student needs? Developing a measure for college food pantry satisfaction (2024)

Food insecurity is a growing concern in higher
education. As universities adapt to meet the
growing need of college students to access
adequate amounts of healthy food, food pantries
are among the most widely implemented food
security supports. However, little has been done to
measure whether this resource is meeting the needs
of students. This study aims to fill gaps in the
existing literature by using a cross-sectional design
to develop a novel satisfaction survey and measure overall satisfaction, use of resources, and additional
support needs of students utilizing an on-campus
food pantry. A convenience sample of 100 student
on-campus pantry users participated. The survey
consisted of a ten-item, investigator-designed
satisfaction scale, which demonstrated a high
measure of reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = .849).
Based on a five-point Likert scale (1 = stronglydisagree to 5 = strongly agree), overall student
satisfaction was high [x̅= 3.8]. Students reported
the highest level of satisfaction with friendliness of
staff volunteers [x̅= 4.55], location of the pantry
[x̅= 4.26], and availability of shelf stable food
items [x̅= 4.11]. Students reported lowest satisfaction with the selection of fresh fruits [x̅= 3.18]
and fresh vegetables [x̅= 3.21], and the selection of
dairy products [x̅= 3.59]. Most indicated a need for
additional support from the pantry site, including
school supplies (n = 48), hygiene and toiletry
supplies (n = 47), cooking utensils (n = 47),
information on other emergency resources
(n = 28), financial resources (n = 25), and recipes
(n = 25). More research is needed to better understand pantry-site satisfaction, identify potential
additional desired supports, and the impacts of oncampus food pantries. This study is the first of a
multiphase project that will continue to explore oncampus food pantries as an intervention strategy,
the student experience of utilizing food pantries,
and their potential impact on students.

Research trends and gaps concerning food insecurity in college students in the United States: a scoping review (2024)

Objective: This scoping review explores the broad body of peer-reviewed research measuring food
insecurity in post-secondary students in the U.S. to identify trends and gaps to inform future
research.
Methods: Three search engines (PubMed, Web of Science, and CINHAL Full Text) were systematically
searched for articles reporting on food security status in U.S. college students.
Results: One-hundred and sixty studies met inclusion criteria. Emerging high-risk student
characteristics include gender non-conforming (GNC) and non-binary, financial independence in
college, and pregnant and parenting students. Emerging correlates include lack of transportation,
anxiety, and eating disorders.
Conclusions: Prevalence data can be used by colleges to advocate for services and programs.
Additional multi-institutional cohort, longitudinal and qualitative studies are needed to identify
timely interventions and effective solutions. A new “rights-based” approach to food security solutions
that includes nutrition and food literacy for all students is needed.

Arizona Student Food and Housing Insecurity (2024)

College students nationwide are increasingly facing food and housing
insecurity, issues that are often hidden and not immediately apparent. The
Hope Center’s research surveys provide the largest assessment of basic needs
security among college students in the United States, revealing that students
in Arizona are also experiencing these challenges.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services describes housing
insecurity or instability as the lack of secure shelter due to factors like “having
trouble paying rent, overcrowding, moving frequently or spending the bulk
of household income on housing.” The The U.S. Department of Agriculture
defines food insecurity as “a lack of consistent access to enough food for every
person in a household to live an active, healthy life.”
According to a study of college students in the U.S. published by the
National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine, food insecurity is
inversely associated with degree completion and educational attainment.
Study results show that among food-insecure college students, 43.8 percent
completed their college degree compared with 68.1 percent of food-secure
college students.
Arizona’s educational attainment – the percentage of adults who earn a twoor four-year degree – is below the national average. Increasing educational
attainment is a priority for the board, as individuals with degrees not only earn
higher salaries but significantly enhance the state’s economic prosperity. To
address this, surveys were conducted at Arizona State University, Northern
Arizona University and the University of Arizona to assess student experiences
related to basic needs, particularly food and housing insecurity.
In response, student regents and the Arizona Board of Regents initiated a
tri-university work group in the 2020-21 academic year. This group was tasked
with assessing student food insecurity and housing needs, and providing
guidance on evidence-based policies and practices to address these issues.
A key recommendation, approved by the board in June 2021, requires each
university to submit an annual report detailing efforts to assess and alleviate
student food and housing needs on campus. Additional recommendations
include establishing a Basic Needs Committee at each university, and
developing a communications plan and portal to highlight and explain the
universities’ initiatives

Filling the Gap: CalFresh Eligibility Among University of California and California Community College Students (2024)

Food insecurity is widespread among college students in the United States. Food benefits
delivered through the CalFresh program, California’s version of the federal Supplemental
Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), can reduce hunger by helping students pay for
groceries, but may not reach all eligible students. To date, higher education systems have
lacked good estimates of the share of their students who are eligible for CalFresh and the
share who actually receive benefits.
To address this information gap, the California Policy
Lab (CPL) partnered with the California Community College (CCC) Chancellor’s Office,
the University of California Office of the President (UCOP), the California Department
of Social Services (CDSS), and the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) to build a
linked database of student-level administrative data on college enrollment, financial aid, and
CalFresh participation. This database covers all students enrolled at CCC or UC campuses
from academic years 2010–11 through 2021–22, along with corresponding FAFSA
submissions and CalFresh participation. Using these data, we are able to measure how
many college students are likely eligible for CalFresh, and of those how many participate.

Food Insecurity Pipeline: How Latinx Immigration-Impacted Students in Higher Education Navigate the Food Insecurity Cycle (2024)

Systemic inequities increase the risk of material hardships, including food insecurity, among
immigrant households. Informed by 33 qualitative interviews with Latina/o/x undergraduate
students who are undocumented or U.S. citizens with undocumented parents, we examine
their experiences of food insecurity in their day-to-day lives. We find a food insecurity pipeline as
students’ experiences of food insecurity begin early in childhood in their homes and continue
in their adulthood on their college campuses. Food insecurity has implications for their wellbeing, and they rely on their strengths and networks to survive food insecurity. The study
has implications for immigration policy, practice, and higher education institutions serving this
vulnerable population.

Advancing college food security: priority research gaps (2023)

Despite over a decade of both quantitative and qualitative studies, food insecurity among US college/university students remains a pervasive problem within higher education. The purpose of this perspective piece was to highlight research gaps in the area of college food insecurity and provide rationale for the research community to focus on these gaps going forward. A group of food insecurity researchers from a variety of higher education institutions across the United States identified five thematic areas of research gaps: screening and estimates of food insecurity; longitudinal changes in food insecurity; impact of food insecurity on broader health and academic outcomes; evaluation of impact, sustainability and cost effectiveness of existing programmes and initiatives; and state and federal policies and programmes. Within these thematic areas, nineteen specific research gaps were identified that have limited or no peer-reviewed, published research. These research gaps result in a limited understanding of the magnitude, severity and persistence of college food insecurity, the negative short- and long-term impacts of food insecurity on health, academic performance and overall college experience, and effective solutions and policies to prevent or meaningfully address food insecurity among college students. Research in these identified priority areas may help accelerate action and interdisciplinary collaboration to alleviate food insecurity among college students and play a critical role in informing the development or refinement of programmes and services that better support college student food security needs.

Prevalence of and Contributors to Food Insecurity Among College Athletes: A Scoping Review (2024)

Abstract: Given the financial demands of attending college, the transition to new living situations,
abrupt changes in social support, and overall lifestyle adjustments, college students are at an
increased risk of food insecurity (FI) compared to the general population. Collegiate athletes
experience an even greater risk of FI as a result of greater time commitments and energy demands
associated with their sports. This heightened vulnerability poses a tremendous threat to student athletes’ academic and athletic achievements. This study aims to address the prevalence and
primary determinants of FI among collegiate athletes while providing potential solutions to
navigate and alleviate the effects of diminished food security among this demographic. To address
these aims, a total of 18 articles were selected from both peer-reviewed and gray literature. The U.S.
Household Food Security Survey Module (US-HFSSM) survey tools were predominantly utilized
across universities throughout the United States to gather data on FI. Student-athletes reported
experiencing FI across various regions of the United States, including universities in northeastern
states (n=5), the southwest region (n=3), the southeast region (n=3), the northwest (n=1), and the
Midwest (n=1). Overall, FI prevalence rates ranged from 9.9% to 65% and the most significant
contributors included limited financial resources, time management, meal plans, and housing
location/amenities. These findings highlight a need for screening, education, and intervention to
address FI among collegiate athletes.