The impact of food insecurity on post-secondary educational outcomes in racial groups: a systematic review

Objective: This systematic review synthesizes results of small-scale studies previously conducted at colleges from all five U.S. regions to explore associations between food insecurity, minority status, and academic outcomes on a larger scale. Methods: Narrative analysis of studies from 12 U.S. colleges examines the associations between race and food insecurity, and food insecurity and educational outcomes. Results: Studies consistently demonstrate a higher prevalence of food insecurity in minority students, specifically African American and Hispanic students. Several studies demonstrate a statistically significant correlation between food insecurity and diminished academic outcomes. Discussion: These studies display similar trends, indicating that minority groups are disproportionally affected by food insecurity and that food-insecure groups are more likely to experience worse academic outcomes. While no causal relationships can be drawn from this qualitative analysis, findings suggest that there is an interplay between the variables of food insecurity, race, and decreased academic achievements.