Student Food Insecurity: Examining Risk and Protective Factors for Hunger Among Campus Food Bank Consumers

Background & Purpose

Food insecurity is common among U.S. college students (Cady, 2014) and campus resources are increasingly provided to meet needs. Various demographics and lack of resources are risk factors for student food insecurity (Gaines et al., 2014). However, as campus resources become more common, it is important to examine risk and protective factors for hunger among food-insecure students. Furthermore, little is known about how social factors, like social relationships, social support, and social isolation, may be linked to student food insecurity and may act as a protective factor (Bruening et al., 2017). This gap is concerning; it is well known that food insecurity and the presence of social relationships are closely related to overall health. It is imperative to explore how social relationships may be connected to student health and well-being, and considered when examining risk and protective factors for being very low food secure.

Methods

A mixed methods study was conducted; 53 college students were surveyed followed by interviews. Participants were recruited from a list of campus food bank users. The survey included: 10-question USDA Food Security Questionnaire; Resources (internal, external, and financial); Social Support Questionnaire; Social Isolation Scale; and, demographics. Survey collection occurred between December 2019 and February 2020, and data was analyzed using SPSS. Qualitative interviews are underway and will be complete by August 2020. Participants are being asked about how social connections and social isolation were related to food access prior to and after COVID-19. Identified themes will be described.

Findings

The sample was diverse: 60% were female, 53% were Caucasian, 43% were undergraduates, 19% were married, 47% were international students, and the average age was 26.3. There were no demographic differences between those who were very low food secure (47%) and those who were not (53%). However, those who had experienced an adverse exogenous event (e.g., financial or health-related) were more likely to be very low food secure (p< .000). No significant differences were found with resource scales. However, when examined by item, having money to buy food (external resource) was significant for very low food security (p=.036). Similarly, social isolation and social support were not significant; however, tangible support subscale approached significance (p=.054). When examined by item, having someone who could prepare a meal if sick was significant for very low food security (p=.043).

Conclusion & Implications

Despite using the campus pantry, the prevalence of very low food security was high. Even in this diverse sample, none of the demographic variables were significant for very low security, suggesting that all students using campus resources are at risk for hunger. Experiencing an adverse event was the strongest predictor for very low food security indicating the fragile nature of these students’ lives. Despite the fact the majority of students received grants, worked, and had strong social connections, the most important resources to prevent hunger was money and food. Given the COVID-19 crisis, it is crucial that campus tangible supports are increased and that practitioners regularly assess for very low food security among student populations.