Factors associated with food security of Texas Woman’s University freshmen

Francilia K. Brito-Silva, Wanyi Wang, Carolyn E. Moore, Kathleen E. Davis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To investigate what factors are associated with food insecurity (FI) among freshman students and identify potential solutions. Participants: 73 freshman students. Methods: Cross-sectional, Internet survey-based study. Fisher’s Exact tests examined factors associated with food security (FS); Cohen’s Kappa assessed the agreement between FI scores and self-assessment; thematic analysis used Nvivo 12. Results: FI was 54.2% among the diverse students (65% non-white). Factors associated with FS included mother with a college degree (p =.018); father employed full-time (p <.001); identifying one’s family financial situation as better than others (p = <.001); not obtaining personal student loans (p = 0.022). Students with FI tended to overestimate their FS status. Suggested solutions for FI included: improved finances, improved food accessibility, improved cooking skills. Conclusions: Future interventions should target freshmen who obtain personal student loans or have parents with less than a college degree or unstable employment status. (148).

Original languageEnglish (US)
JournalJournal of American College Health
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • disparities
  • Food insecurity
  • food security
  • freshman college students
  • hunger

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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