Abstract
This study described food security status and explored coping mechanisms of students at times of food insecurity at the University of the Witwatersrand. The sample consisted of 387 undergraduate students from all faculties and a subsample of 30 students who received financial aid. The 30 subsample students were also assessed regarding their coping strategies. Action research approaches included key indicators such as the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), and the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS). The HFIAS score showed that 1% of students was severely food insecure and 6% were identified as moderately food insecure. The DDS score amongst the sample was seven out of a possible 12 points. African male students originating from townships who were on financial aid and did not eat in university dining halls were the most vulnerable group to food insecurity. Almost all (97%) participants believed hunger could impact negatively on academic performance and 52% reported having personally experienced the impact of hunger on academic performance. Food security coping strategies used by students were avoiding expensive fast-food places; food pooling, shared meal preparation schedules; eating fewer meals and going home to get food. Wits should develop effective strategies to address pockets of hunger and food insecurity.
Highlights
Food insecurity at Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in South Africa has been reported as very high
This study investigated the status of food security of University of Witwatersrand (Wits) undergraduates and their coping mechanisms during times of food insecurity
Socio-demographic factors of the main sample group A total of 387 students participated in the food security questionnaire with slightly more than half of the sample being female and African students comprising 86% of the sample
Summary
Food insecurity at Higher Education Institutions (HEI) in South Africa has been reported as very high. There is a causal relationship between food insecurity and student academic performance with up to a 50% - 60% student dropout rate [1]. Food insecurity at HEIs is not a new phenomenon. It is not openly discussed especially at an institutional leadership level [3]. A key question is how the universities in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders can engage in finding common workable interventions on food insecurity at HEIs. Food insecurity is a global problem and is the moral duty of politicians, senior management of HEIs and corporates, academics, students and all those in possession of resources to alleviate and address food insecurity with strong emphasis on sustainability particular amongst vulnerable populations including the important student population [4]
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