Feeding the Student Body: Unequal Food Insecurity Among College Students

Abstract

Background: A growing but limited body of research has assessed food insecurity among college students. The majority of these studies relied on convenience or nonprobability samples. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and odds of food insecurity among undergraduate students. Methods: Online survey data were collected in the spring of 2017 from a random sample of college students attending a 4-year university. A final sample of 378 undergraduate students was included in this study. Pearson's chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used to examine differences in the prevalence and odds of food insecurity across student groups. Results: Nearly a third (32%) of undergraduate students were food insecure. Racial and sexual minorities had a higher prevalence of food insecurity and higher odds of food insecurity. Students who had a background of family financial struggles and who lack housing security had a higher prevalence and higher odds of food insecurity. Discussion: The results are discussed with attention to the role of higher education in reproducing or reducing unequal opportunity in the United States. Translation to Health Education Practice: Certified Health Education Specialists should consider interventions with the differentiated risk of food insecurity in mind.