What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to understand food and nutrition insecurity patterns among college students at a public university.

March 21, 2026Nutrients0 citationsOpen Access

Understanding Food and Nutrition Insecurity Among College Students: Evidence from a Cross-Campus Study

KNKritee Niroula SRSummaya Abdul Razak JKJolaade Kalinowski

Key Points

This study aims to understand food and nutrition insecurity patterns among college students at a public university.
Conducted a cross-sectional survey using Qualtrics in November 2023
Measured food insecurity using USDA’s 10-item tool
Assessed housing security with a National Survey of Income and Program Participation 6-item tool
Analyzed data with ANOVAs and logistic regression
Utilized SPSS version 29 for data analysis
36% of students were found to be food insecure
20% were identified as nutritionally insecure
Higher rates of insecurity were linked to low-income students and those with housing instability
Income and housing security were significant predictors of food insecurity
Lower income students were twice as likely to experience food insecurity

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity is defined as having limited access to food, while nutrition insecurity is characterized as a lack of consistent access to affordable and acceptable foods that support health, manage or prevent disease, and meet daily nutritional needs. College students face increased risks of food and nutrition insecurity, yet the issue is understudied. This study examined the patterns of food and nutrition insecurity among students at a public university across main and regional campuses. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using Qualtrics for participant recruitment in November 2023. The USDA’s 10-item toolFood insecurity was measured using the USDA’s 10-item tooland housing security was measured using the U.S. Census Bureau’s National Survey of Income and Program Participation 6-item tool. We used ANOVAs and logistic regression to examine differences across demographics. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 29. Results: There were 6538 student responses. Of these, 36% of students were food insecure, while 20% were nutritionally insecure. Comparatively, food and nutrition insecurity were significantly higher among students with low-income (p < 0.001), housing instability (p < 0.001), a higher number of dependents, and those indicating that they were single/unmarried (p = 0.005), first-generation (p < 0.001), and Pell grant eligible (p < 0.001). Annual income and housing security emerged as significant predictors: lower income was approximately twice as likely to be associated with food insecurity, while those reporting housing insecurity were six times more likely to experience food insecurity. Conclusions: The study findings reveal disparities in food and nutrition insecurity among a diverse student population at a public university. Addressing the issue among them is crucial and requires a multifaceted, inclusive approach. Emergency financial assistance and structural interventions that promote housing security are warranted.

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