The Challenges of Experiencing Food Insecurity: A Critical Narrative Inquiry on Community College Students

Food Insecurity on College and University Campuses: A Context and Rationale for Solutions

This qualitative critical narrative inquiry study explored the experiences of 19 students within four universities in a single Southern state that used campus food aid resources such as a food pantry. Using Hurtado et al.'s Multicontextual Model for Diverse Learning Environments (MMDLE), this paper sheds light on how participants discussed the campus climate for students experiencing food insecurity within their respective campuses. Findings unpack students’ reflections on a lack of awareness and discussion about food insecurity and food aid resources within the campus community, the role that stigmas played in participants’ perceptions and use of campus food aid resources, and doubts they had in accessing these resources. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Early Findings of a Study Exploring the Social Media, Political and Cultural Awareness, and Civic Activism of Gen Z Students in the Mid-Atlantic United States [Abstract

This study estimated the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of mental health problems and treatment utilization in a U.S. national sample of community college students and made comparisons with data from a sample of students at 4-year educational institutions. The study used data for 2016-2019 from the Healthy Minds Study, an annual cross-sectional survey. The sample included 10,089 students from 23 community colleges and 95,711 students from 133 4-year institutions. Outcomes were mental health symptom prevalence based on validated screening tools and rates of service utilization, such as use of therapy and psychotropic medication. Analyses were weighted by using survey nonresponse weights. Prevalence rates were comparably high in the sample of community college and 4-year students, with just more than 50% of each group meeting criteria for one or more mental health problems. Analyses by age group revealed significantly higher prevalence for community college students ages 18-22 years, relative to their same-age peers at 4-year institutions. Community college students, particularly those from traditionally marginalized backgrounds, were significantly less likely to have used services, compared with students on 4-year campuses. Financial stress was a strong predictor of mental health outcomes, and cost was the most salient treatment barrier in the community college sample. This is the largest known study to report on the mental health needs of community college students in the United States. Findings have important implications for campus policies and programs and for future research to advance equity in mental health and other key outcomes, such as college persistence and retention.

Comparing Food Security Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Considerations When Choosing Measures

This study investigated the prevalence of food insecurity among community college students (N = 301) and the relationship between food insecurity and student grade point average (GPA). It employed a cross-sectional intercept survey, utilizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Household Food Security Survey Module, student self-reported GPA, and demographic variables. The research setting was two community colleges in Maryland—one located in a low income urban area and one located in an affluent suburban area. Results demonstrate that 56% of the students in the overall sample were classified as food insecure. Students at higher risk of food insecurity included those who reported living alone and those who reported being single parents. Students identifying themselves as African American or as multiracial were also at increased risk for food insecurity. Food insecure students were more likely than food secure students to report a lower GPA (2.0–2.49) versus a higher GPA (3.5–4.0). Data suggest that food insecurity is an issue for a large percentage of the community college student sample. Food insecurity may have adverse effects on student academic performance and is a factor to be considered by college administrators, faculty, and students.

As community college students often come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, report greater financial challenges, and experience higher cohort default rates on student loans compared to peers attending four-year institutions, it is important to understand how community college students develop a sense of financial wellness. Moreover, research has also found that community college students, many of them students of Color, rely heavily on family to persist toward graduation. As a result, this study analyzes qualitative data from 14 community college students who reported on whether they viewed their family as financial education resources and what specific lessons they learned from their family to improve their financial wellness. Results suggest many community college students may not have family with extensive experience in and knowledge of financial sectors (e.g., banking, finance, investment) and education concepts (e.g., savings accounts, building credit, budgeting), and therefore, have little financial education to impart. In addition, many community college students’ financial education was limited to knowledge of saving, with students rarely reporting their family imparting any education about many other finance concepts. Finally, community college students witnessed reverse role modeling when it came to money management from their parents, often teaching these students what not to do with their finances. Implications for community college research, policy, and practice are addressed.

Food insecurity is a major public health concern in the United States, particularly for pregnant and postpartum individuals. In 2020, ∼13.8 million (10.5%) U.S. households experienced food insecurity. However, the association between food security and pregnancy outcomes in the United States is poorly understood. The purpose of this review was to critically appraise the state of the evidence related to food insecurity as a determinant of health within the context of pregnancy in the United States. We also explored the relationship between food insecurity and pregnancy outcomes. PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Food and Nutrition Science databases were used. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed studies about food (in)security, position articles from professional organizations, and policy articles about pregnancy outcomes and breastfeeding practices. Studies conducted outside of the United States and those without an adequate definition of food (in)security were excluded. Neonatal health outcomes were also excluded. Included articles were critically appraised with the STROBE and Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklists. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Inconsistencies exist in defining and measuring household food (in)security. Pregnant and postpartum people experienced several adverse physiological and psychological outcomes that impact pregnancy compared with those who do not. Intersections between neighborhood conditions and other economic hardships were identified. Findings regarding the impact of food insecurity on breastfeeding behaviors were mixed, but generally food insecurity was not associated with poor breastfeeding outcomes in adjusted models. Inconsistencies in definitions and measures of food security limit definitive conclusions. There is a need for standardizing definitions and measures of food insecurity, as well as a heightened awareness and policy change to alleviate experiences of food insecurity.

The rising cost of tuition, coupled with the insufficiency of aid and income, has made it more likely for college students to face financial challenges. The result for too many students is food insecurity or the lack of reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food. Although the issue of food insecurity is prevalent among college students in general, community college students struggle at higher percentages than students at 4-year institutions. Yet, many of the responses of 4-year institutions to their students' food insecurity are not available to community college students or are too costly for community colleges to implement. The purpose of this instrumental case study was to explore the Food Campaign (pseudonym) of a community college in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Food Campaign focuses on reducing food insecurity among students with its "three A's:" acceptance, access, and awareness. The goals of the study were to inform the institution as it continues to address food insecurity on and off campus and to inform the development of similar programs at community colleges across the nation. The research questions that guided the study were: (a) In what ways, if any, does the Food Campaign foster acceptance, as evidenced by vision, commitment, and responsibility? (b) In what ways, if any, does the Food Campaign foster access, as evidenced by providing affordable, sufficient, nutritious food? And (c) In what ways, if any, does the Food Campaign foster awareness, as evidenced by communication? The research was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing individual interviews with 10 students, a focus group with seven students, and individual interviews with four faculty and six staff. The researcher also analyzed artifacts and kept a researcher's journal for fieldnotes and to bracket out her own bias. Analysis of data revealed five themes: (a) a village mentality, (b) an affirming culture, (c) radical inclusion, (d) meeting students where they are, and (e) communication and promotion. The researcher identified four results: (a) food security is necessary for students' physical, cognitive, and academic well-being; (b) the three A's (acceptance, access, and awareness) make the Food Campaign design a comprehensive approach for addressing food insecurity at colleges and universities; (c) food insecurity among students in community college during a pandemic/economic crisis has no respect of person, color/ethnicity, family structure, or affluence; and (d) regarding food insecurity, students at RCC are achieving levels of the hierarchy of need in non-hierarchical ways. Given the findings and results, the researcher offered recommendations for practice and for future research.

Given the rising number of refugees in the United States, it is becoming increasingly important for individuals to understand the lived experience of refugees and foster their inclusion. World Relief refugee simulations were designed to raise awareness about the refugees’ rehoming process, and these immersion activities may be powerful experiences to improve participants’ character. Furthermore, these simulations may aid individuals in shifting their preconceived perceptions about this population, and as a result, participants may become more inclusive of refugees. However, minimal research has been conducted on the value of refugee simulations. This convergent mixed-method study examined the difference between community college students’ character strengths before and after a refugee simulation and explored their experiences in the refugee simulation. The quantitative data were collected using the VIA Character Strengths Survey. The results revealed that community college students’ character strengths such as bravery, curiosity, fairness, judgment, kindness, love of learning, social intelligence, and zest were statistically higher after this intervention. The qualitative data were collected with an adapted version of the Guide for Reflective Practice. The results indicated that community college students’ participation in the refugee simulation was transformative. These findings suggest that refugee simulations aid in character development and change participants’ perspectives about refugees.

Background: Food insecurity remains a major public health concern in the United States. Studies have noted that food insecurity can lead to lower healthcare utilization and poorer health status. Despite the continuous burden of asthma, little research has shown whether food insecurity serves as a social determinant to poor asthma care. In this study, we specifically focused on whether food insecurity can lead to delay in prescription medication for adults with asthma in California.Methods: We utilized the California Health Interview Survey. Survey weighted descriptive, univariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. A total of 11,645 observations, representing an average annual population size of 1,085,481 was included in this study.Results: Nearly 15% and 8% of participants were food insecure and had current asthma, respectively. Based on adjusted odds ratio, food insecure adults were 148% more likely to report delay in asthma prescription, as compared to those who were food secure (adjusted odds ratio =2.48; 95% CI: 1.58, 3.89).Conclusions: Given the delay in prescription, and thus appropriate health care, demonstrated in our study, targeted measures at point of care should be implemented to identify such at-risk patients early and provide resources for food aid to ensure optimal health outcomes.

Objective: The COVID-19 global pandemic has created severe, long-lasting challenges to college students in the United States (US). In the present study, we assessed mental health symptomatology (depression, anxiety, life stress), academic challenges, and economic stress during the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. Method: A total sample of 361 college students (Mage = 22.26, SD = 5.56) was gathered from a community college (N = 134) and mid-size public university (N = 227) in Southwest US, both designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions. Results: Pearson and point biserial correlations indicated associations between mental health symptomatology, academic challenges, and economic stress, including expected delays in graduation. Multivariate analysis revealed that community college students had statistically significantly higher scores on anxiety F(1, 312) = 5.27, p = .02, = .01 than 4-year university students, as well as key differences with respect to academic challenges. Chi Square analyses revealed that Latinx families experienced greater economic hardships, including job loss or reduced work hours (χ2 (1, N = 361) = 28.56, p = .00) than other ethnic/racial groups. Conclusions/Contributions: Findings revealed that community college students faced disparately negative mental health symptomatology, academic challenges, and economic stress during the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. Further, Latinx students' families experienced significant economic hardship that may have impacted students' academic progress and future planning.

Household food insecurity is a widely used concept in high-income countries to describe “uncertainty about future food availability and access, insufficiency in the amount and kind of food required for a healthy lifestyle, or the need to use socially unacceptable ways to acquire food.” (Anderson, 1990). In the UK, research focused on food insecurity was relatively rare before the rapid spread of food banks and growing usage from 2010 but since then, has burgeoned (Loopstra and Lambie-Mumford, 2023). There was very little peer-reviewed literature on the topic in the UK when DEFRA commissioned a Rapid Evidence Assessment of evidence on food aid in the UK (Lambie-Mumford et al 2014), but there is now an established field of research on household food insecurity and responses to it that spans disciplines including public health and nutrition, social policy, politics, geography, food policy and systems. Government monitoring of food insecurity has also evolved over this time, with the FSA first including a food insecurity measure into the Food and You survey in 2016, and the DWP including the same in the FRS from 2019/20. The Agriculture Act 2020 requires the UK government to report on food security to Parliament at least once every three years, and the UK Food Security Report that is produced to fulfil this duty now includes reporting on data from these government surveys (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, 2021). This rapidly developing field has resulted in a varied landscape of research and evidence on food insecurity. The FSA has an interest in advancing its research on household food insecurity in the UK as part of its strategy. The FSA works to protect consumers’ wider interests in relation to food, and the FSA strategy 2022-2027 recognises that people are worried about food affordability and insecurity and therefore they will continue to consider the impact of these issues across all work. To inform the FSA’s approach to future collaborations and research priorities on food insecurity in the UK, it was deemed a priority to first gain greater clarity on the scope of the research landscape already in existence in the UK. Thus, this research was commissioned to give the FSA an overview of household food insecurity data and the landscape of the type of research questions related to food insecurity that have been explored in the UK context. More specifically, the aims of the project were: to scope the landscape of research and data on household food insecurity in the UK, covering that produced by academia, civil society, and government departments and including publicly available datasets; and to identify the key gaps in the research landscape and inform priorities for the FSA’s work on household food insecurity going forward. Importantly, the task was not to describe the findings of this large body of research, but rather to identify the landscape of research questions asked in relation to food insecurity and the approaches taken to answer these. The areas focused on were research on definition, concept and measurement of food insecurity, drivers of individual/household-level access to food, experiences of different population sub-groups, outcomes related to food insecurity including those related to food safety, and responses to food insecurity at the national/local level (including those by third sector organisations and local and national governments).

Note: Presentation moved to gender and family session on fridayBackgroundFood insecurity is negatively associated with health. Therefore, local food aid provision is crucial to helping protect the health and wellbeing...

Obesity and Hunger Threaten the Foundations of Child Health