Profile of a Food-Insecure College Student at a Major Southeastern University: A Randomized Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Ten percent of Americans are food-insecure. Few known studies have accessed college food insecurity via random sampling. An online cross-sectional survey (n = 1087) was distributed via email to a random sample of undergraduate college students. Food insecurity was determined by the USDA Food Security Short Form. Data were analyzed using JMP Pro. Results: Thirty-six percent of the students were food-insecure. Most food-insecure students were enrolled full-time (93.6%), female (81.2%), received financial aid (77.9%), lived off-campus (75.0%), non-white (59.6%), and employed (51.7%). Food-insecure students had a significantly lower GPA (p < 0.001 *), were more likely to be non-white (p < 0.0001 *), and were more likely to have received financial aid compared to food-secure students (p < 0.0001 *). Food-insecure students were significantly more likely to have lived in government housing, had free or reduced lunch, used SNAP and WIC benefits, and received food from a food bank during childhood (p < 0.0001 * for all). Food-insecure students were significantly less likely to report that they experienced a food shortage to counseling and wellness personnel, a resident assistant, and their parents (p < 0.05 * for all). Discussion: College students might be at greater risk for food insecurity if they are non-white, first-generation students, employed, on financial aid, and have a history of accessing government assistance during childhood.