Abstract
BackgroundTo examine longitudinal associations between food insecurity (FI) and health behaviors/outcomes among a diverse sample of university freshmen.MethodsFreshman students (n = 1138; 65% female; 49% non-white) participating in the Social impact of Physical Activity and nutRition in College study completed surveys on health behaviors and had height/weight measured up to 4 times (T1-T4) in Arizona during 2015–2016. Structural equation models were estimated to determine if, after adjusting for covariates, FI predicted concurrent behaviors/outcomes and subsequent behaviors/outcomes. Analyses reported here were conducted in 2017.ResultsThe prevalence of FI was significantly higher at the end of each semester (35% and 36%, respectively) than at the start of the year (28%). Longitudinally, FI was not related to any health behaviors/outcomes at future time points. However, FI was significantly and inversely associated with concurrent breakfast consumption on most days of the week (OR = 0.67, 99% CI = 0.46, 0.99), daily evening meal consumption (OR = 0.55, 99% CI = 0.36, 0.86) healthy eating habits on campus (OR = 0.68, 99% CI = 0.46, 1.00), healthy physical activity habits on campus (OR = 0.66, 99% CI = 0.44, 1.00), and positively related to the likelihood of experiencing stress (OR = 1.69, 99% CI = 1.16, 2.46) and depressed mood (OR = 1.98, 99% CI = 1.34, 2.91).ConclusionsCompared with US prevalence rates, the sample FI prevalence was high. FI was related to poorer eating patterns, physical activity behaviors, and mental health, even after adjusting for prior levels of behavior.
Highlights
To examine longitudinal associations between food insecurity (FI) and health behaviors/outcomes among a diverse sample of university freshmen
In order for university students to be eligible for SNAP, they must work a minimum of 20 h per week, have dependents between the ages of 5–12 and not have childcare, participate in work-study programs, or have other waivers https://www.fns.usda.gov/ snap/students) [11]
Bivariate analyses showed the prevalence of food insecurity was significantly higher at the end of the first semester (Time 2; 35%, p ≤ 0.01) and end of the second
Summary
To examine longitudinal associations between food insecurity (FI) and health behaviors/outcomes among a diverse sample of university freshmen. Numerous recent cross-sectional studies have examined the high rates of food insecurity among students attending post-secondary institutions both in the US and internationally [2]. These studies have identified rates of food insecurity ranging from 12.5% to 84% [3,4,5], with a systematic review calculating an average food insecurity among students at 42% [2]. Despite evidence suggesting poorer health and academic outcomes for food insecure university students, to date no study has examined the effects of food insecurity on these outcomes over time.
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