Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Dec;61(6):923-926.
doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2021.05.038. Epub 2021 Aug 25.

The Long-Term Effect of Food Insecurity During College on Future Food Insecurity

Cindy W Leung  1 , Noura Insolera  2 , Alicia J Cohen  3 , Julia A Wolfson  4
Affiliations

The Long-Term Effect of Food Insecurity During College on Future Food Insecurity

Cindy W Leung et al. Am J Prev Med. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Food insecurity has been associated with adverse health and academic outcomes among college students. However, little is known about the long-term impacts of experiencing food insecurity during college. This study examines the impacts of college food insecurity (measured from 1999 to 2003) on future food insecurity (measured from 2015 to 2017) and whether this association differs by economic independence during college.

Methods: Data came from 1,508 participants in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the longest-running and nationally representative panel survey. Household food security was assessed using the 18-item U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module during college enrollment in 1999-2003 and again during adulthood in 2015-2017. Generalized linear models were used to examine the impacts of college food insecurity on food insecurity in adulthood, adjusting for individual- and family-level sociodemographic characteristics. Data analysis was conducted in 2020-2021.

Results: After multivariable adjustment, college food insecurity was associated with an increased prevalence of food insecurity in adulthood (prevalence ratio=1.45, 95% CI=1.16, 1.81). This association was more pronounced among students who were economically independent from their parents during college (prevalence ratio=2.23, 95% CI=1.27, 3.90).

Conclusions: Food insecurity during college is associated with a higher prevalence of food insecurity in early to middle adulthood, particularly among economically independent students. Given the seemingly cyclical nature of food insecurity over the life course, policies are needed to alleviate food insecurity during the critical college years.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Bruening M, Argo K, Payne-Sturges D, Laska MN. The struggle is real: a systematic review of food insecurity on postsecondary education campuses. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017;117(11):1767–1791. 10.1016/j.jand.2017.05.022. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Food Insecurity: Better Information Could Help Eligible College Students Access Federal Food Assistance Benefits. U.S. Government Accountability Office; 2018.
    1. Global Food Initiative: Food and Housing Security at the University of California. University of California Office of the President; 2017.
    1. Goldrick-Rab S, Richardson J, Schneider JA, Hernandez A, Cady C. Still Hungry and Homeless in College. Wisconsin HOPE Lab; 2018.
    1. Phillips E, McDaniel A, Croft A. Food insecurity and academic disruption among college students. J Stud Aff Res Prac. 2018;55(4):353–372. 10.1080/19496591.2018.1470003. - DOI

Publication types