Changes in food security and fruit/vegetable intake over the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To explore differences in food security and fruit/vegetable (FV) intake among private college students and differences by socioeconomic status (SES) earlier and later in the pandemic. Participants: 231 private university students at varying campuses in the greater Houston area (119 in Fall 2020; 112 in Fall 2022). Methods: Students completed an online repeated cross-sectional survey in Fall 2020 and Fall 2022. This study used a data subset of demographics, Block Fruit/Vegetable/Fiber Screener, and Food Security 6-Item Short Form. T-tests, chi-square tests, and analysis of variance tests examined differences. Results: There was no difference in food security between Fall 2020 and Fall 2022; food security was consistently lower for low/working class than middle and affluent classes. FV intake increased early to late pandemic. Conclusions: Findings inform government and university policy to improve college student nutrition, especially low-SES students at predominantly wealthy private universities.

Keywords: COVID-19; College students; food insecurity; fruit and vegetable; nutrition.