Risk factors of food insecurity among students at diverse post-secondary education institutions: a cross-sectional examination

Abstract

Objective: Identify the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) and compare sociodemographic, mental, physical, behavioral, and environmental risk factors for FI among students at a private university, community college, and historically black college or university (HBCU).

Participants: Adult students attending a private university, community college, or HBCU (n = 4,140) located within the southeastern United States.

Methods: Using an online survey (2017-2019), FI, sociodemographic, mental, physical, behavioral, and environmental data were collected to understand their association with FI.

Results: Up to 37.1% of students experienced FI. Identifying as black, other/multi-racial, having poor sleep, federal loans, depressive symptoms, high stress, social isolation, or a chronic condition were associated with FI. These associations varied by institution.

Conclusions: FI is prevalent within diverse post-secondary institutions that serve traditional and nontraditional students with risk factors varying between institutions. The prevalence of FI and risk factors can inform institutional policy responses to ameliorate the effects of FI.

Keywords: College students; food insecurity; health behavior; health disparity; post-secondary institutions.