Cancer Prevention Behaviors and Knowledge of Cancer Screening Among Food Insecure College Students

Abstract

Abstract Objectives The objective of the current study were to examine cancer prevention knowledge and risky behaviors by diet and food insecurity. Methods A cross-sectional examination of college students examined FI status and cancer prevention behavior (fruit and vegetable intake (FVI), alcohol intake frequency (AIF), and tobacco use (TU)) and screening knowledge (age to receive breast, cervical, lung, prostate, and colon screening for “normal risk”). Results Students were 34.13% food insecure. Body mass index was significant by food insecurity status (P < .01; FI = 26.41 kg/m2, Food Secure (FS) = 23.42 kg/m2). FVI was not significant by group however average intake of the whole population was 3.04 + 1.84 servings. Likewise, AIF by group was not significant (P > .05). A higher percentage of FI used tobacco (P = .01). Lung and pap smear screening age knowledge by FI status was significantly different (P = .027 and .047, respectively). Conclusions As FI is correlated with negative health outcomes, upstream interventions should be proposed to target long term impacts such as risky behaviors and cancer prevention knowledge. Funding Sources University of Kentucky Start-up funds.