Association between food insecurity and depressive symptoms in college students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: Examine the relationship between the change in food insecurity status and depressive symptoms before and during COVID periods in undergraduates.

Participants: Undergraduates (n = 850) surveyed for the College Relationships and Experiences project in November 2019 (wave 1) and May 2020 (wave 2).

Methods: Multivariable logistic regression examined the association between (1) food insecurity and elevated depressive symptoms at each wave and (2) elevated depressive symptoms at wave 2 and change in food insecurity status from wave 1 to wave 2.

Results: Food insecure (FI) students had over twice the odds of elevated depressive symptoms at both timepoints compared to their food-secure (FS) counterparts. Compared to those who stayed FS, students who changed from FI to FS and those who remained FI had higher odds of depressive symptoms at wave 2.

Conclusions: Pre-pandemic FI status is a crucial factor influencing elevated depressive symptoms both before and during the pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; College students; depression; food insecurity; nutrition.