Examining the association of student mental health and food security with college GPA

Abstract

Background: Low food security and poor mental health are a persistent concern for college students. Objective: Examine how food security and mental health are associated with college student’s grade point average (GPA). Methods: American College Health Association (ACHA)-National College Health Assessment III survey data Spring 2020 of students from 75 US universities (n = 48,103) were utilized to examine relationships among mental health, food security and academic performance (GPA). Results: The majority of the population self-reported high food security (58.3%) and moderate psychological distress (50.8%). Very low food security (B = −.523, OR =.59, p