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. 2023 Jan;71(1):87-93.
doi: 10.1080/07448481.2021.1877144. Epub 2021 Mar 24.

Prevalence of food insecurity among students attending four Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Naomi N Duke  1   2 , Santiba D Campbell  3 , Derrick L Sauls  4 , Robyn Stout  5 , Mary T Story  6   7 , Tomia Austin  8 , Hayden B Bosworth  9   10   11   12   13 , Asheley C Skinner  9 , Helene Vilme  9
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Prevalence of food insecurity among students attending four Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Naomi N Duke et al. J Am Coll Health. 2023 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) among students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the Southeastern United States. Participants: Students attending four HBCUs (N = 351) completed an anonymous Web-based survey. Methods: Food insecurity was assessed using the 2-item Hunger Vital Sign Tool. Summary statistics were used to quantify FI experiences. Logistic regression was conducted to determine if student demographic characteristics were significantly associated with FI outcomes. Results: Nearly 3 in 4 students (72.9%) reported some level of FI in the past year. Students representing all levels of postsecondary education reported FI. Meal plan participation did not prevent FI. Conclusions: Students attending HBCUs experience FI at levels that exceed estimates reported among students attending predominantly White institutions. More work is needed to understand the lived experience of food-insecure HBCU students as a means to ensure institution-level food policies support student academic success and wellbeing.

Keywords: College student nutrition; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Hunger Vital Sign; screening; student food insecurity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research was performed using established ethical standards. The research protocol received approval from the Duke University Campus Institutional Review Board (IRB) and the four IRBs of the participating Institutions.

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