Food insecurity among NCAA student athletes at a NCAA Division II university

Abstract

Objective: The primary purpose of this cross-sectional study was to understand food insecurity among athletes at one NCAA Division II university. Participants: Student-athletes at a medium-sized, rural university, aged 18 or older (n = 256). Methods: Participants completed a survey with: demographics, the 10-item USDA Adult Food Security Survey Model, and an open-ended question about student-athletes' major barriers to fueling well. Results: Most student-athletes (50.4%) were classified as food insecure and 28.5% of student-athletes met the criteria for very low food security. Chi-square analysis showed student-athletes receiving both CalFresh and financial aid and living off campus were more likely to experience food insecurity (p = 0.045 and p = 0.025, respectively). Time and money were reported as the most common barriers to eating well. Conclusion: Collegiate athletes are a high-risk population for food insecurity. Interventions, including increasing CalFresh usage among student-athletes may help mitigate this risk.

Keywords: College athletes; food security; hunger; student athletes.