SNAP Participation Decreases Food Insecurity among California Public University Students: A quasi-experimental Study

Abstract

Food insecurity is widespread among US college students. We examined the impact of participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on food security status among students at a large public university using a quasi-experimental study. Sequentially adjusted logistic regression models were used to assess the impact of SNAP participation on food insecurity. SNAP participants experienced a 63% decrease in food insecurity from baseline to six months (p < .05). Adjusted models found 89% (95% CI 0.25–0.98) lower odds of food insecurity among program participants. Strategies to increase SNAP use may decrease food insecurity and its associated consequences among college students.