Student food insecurity: Examining barriers to higher education at the University of Saskatchewan

Abstract

This online survey study of a random sample of university students examined the prevalence and severity of food insecurity, coping strategies, and demographic information. We found that 39.5% of students reported some degree of food insecurity, with students who are parents (odd ratio [OR] = 1.73, confidence interval [CI], 1.06–2.83), international students (OR = 2.01, CI, 1.11–3.82), and students who rely on government student loans as their primary income (OR = 1.97, CI, 1.39–2.81) being overrepresented. Further research to better understand what is creating and sustaining barriers to food security among university students will inform healthy campus and postsecondary education policy in Canada.