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The Impacts of Food Insecurity seen in College Students in the US

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The Impacts of Food Insecurity seen in College Students in the US

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There are many underlying factors that have a strong correlation to food insecurity in students. If those factors can be minimized, we could reduce the number of food insecure students on college campuses. Food insecurity can often stem from systematic factors, result in lower GPAs, higher dropout rates, worsened physical and mental health, and can be more commonly seen in students working jobs, and facing high expenses. The literature I’ve found highlights that food insecurity among college students is a growing issue with many possible underlying factors, and secondary impacts as a result, requiring urgent change in our institutional support systems, food availability and affordability, as well as overall awareness of the issue. This review of literature will focus on how underlying factors lead to food insecurity among students in the US, the impact food insecurity has on academic performance and health of students, as well as reasons why more initiatives are necessary to reduce the predominant issue.

Adamovic et al., (2020) connects how “students who receive financial aid are more likely to be food insecure,” in addition to Freudenberg et al., (2019) stating college tuition has been rising while financial aid is increasingly insufficient, where Li et al., (2024) concludes students of color on average have lower family incomes, available options, assets, and are disproportionately hit by hunger.

Food insecurity worsens the health of students, which in turn impacts their academic performance. Barrett et al., (2023) brings up the point that students likely afford cheaper, unhealthier foods, which leads to academic interference stated by Bruening et al., (2017) including a difficulty concentrating in class to higher prevalence of withdrawing from class or the institution. El Zein et al., (2019) determined food-insecure students had almost twice the risk of having a GPA below 3.0, along with higher odds of poor sleep , high stress, and disordered eating behaviors.

Multiple sources that especially stuck out for me during this research process were ‘Examining the association of student mental health and food security with college GPA’ by Marmolejo et al., (2022). This scholarly article walked the reader through the ripple effect food insecurity has on students (Marmolejo et al., 2022). Reduced food security leads to psychological distress, or worsened mental health, and ultimately harms academic performance, which shows through a student’s GPA (Marmolejo et al., 2022). This aligns with  information stated in ‘Prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among U.S. college students: a multi-institutional study’ by El Zein et al (2019). This article mentioned similar connections between food insecurity and GPA, and elaborated on the process, where food insecurity is associated with poor sleep quality, higher stress, and disordered eating behaviors, all of which reduce academic success in college students (El Zein et al., 2019). The details included in both these articles, as well as the similar connections made amplify how significant this issue is on academic performance in students, as well as increasing the credibility of both sources (El Zein et al., 2019; Marmolejo et al., 2022).

To conclude, food insecurity among college students is an extensive issue with major impacts on student academic performance, physical and mental health, and overall well-being. There are connections we can make when analyzing the sources as a whole, and corroborating the information. Many of the authors of these scholarly articles are associated with nutritional health and/or related roles at their institutions, and want to analyze why food insecurity is such a big issue in college. I will argue that changes are needed in order to manage the underlying factors leading to food insecurity, including rising tuition costs, food availability and affordability, as well as limited financial resources. Despite attempts to minimize food insecurity across different universities, the issue is prominent in students on and off campus.  Information I’ve learned about the issue of food insecurity will be used to address solutions that have been shown to help reduce the issue at certain institutions, in addition to analyzing what benefits would result from reducing food insecurity among college students.

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Food insecurity interferes with academic performance of students for numerous reasons including a lacking nutritional intake, poor health, and lower focus levels. When students are food insecure, they can afford cheaper, unhealthier foods, leading to malnourishment or lack of proper nutrients for good health which is a large driver in noncommunicable disease (Barrett et al., 2023). This often means a full, nutritious meal is sacrificed for multiple low-nutrient snack items instead because, for many students, the quantity of food is more important than the quality of food for the same price. Additionally, nutrient-poor, yet energy-dense foods are heavily marketed, which doesn’t support the diet of food-insecure students who cannot afford other food options. While these students can feed their bodies, they aren’t fueling themselves with proper nutrients to keep themselves healthy and avoid sickness. When students are hungry or malnourished, difficulty concentrating in class, high stress, depression, and adverse learning is more likely to be experienced (Bruening et al., 2017). Even further, Bruening et al., (2017) found there is a higher association between food-insecure students and institutional drop-out rates, poor academic outcomes and productivity. When students’ health is diminishing, not only does their physical health reflect through their academic performance, but it poses a barrier to a positive life and wellbeing.

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1. Voice Introduction

2. Literature Review

3. Underlying Factors

4. Impact on Academic Performance

5. Are Current Initiatives Really Enough?

6. More Action is Always Needed

7. Conclusion

8. References

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Food insecurity among college students remains a pressing issue, particularly for low-income, first-generation, and nontraditional students who face unique financial challenges (Li et al., 2024). Addressing this problem requires a multifaceted approach, including economic incentives and improved access to affordable, nutritious food, which have been shown to positively influence dietary behaviors (Barrett et al., 2023). Beyond physical health, food insecurity has profound effects on mental well-being, contributing to higher levels of psychological distress and loneliness among students with limited food access (Merhout & Doyle, 2019). Methods for promoting resources, such as an on-campus food pantry, as simple as flyers, emails, and social media content are enough to encourage students to utilize what they have access to. Flyers and emails about the Cougar food pantry at the CUB sparked a lot of student interest and pantry attendance with less than one day of media advertising. Given the long-term health, social, and economic benefits associated with higher education, public investment in programs that ensure students have consistent access to food is essential (Freudenberg et al., 2019). Strengthening institutional support and prioritizing food security measures will not only enhance student success but also contribute to a more equitable and sustainable academic environment.

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While there is still room for improvement in addressing food insecurity on college campuses, some may argue that existing measures are already sufficient and that food prices do not drastically interfere with access to nutritious food. Some people could argue there are already sufficient existing support systems to help reduce food insecurity among college students. “While half of the students (56.4%) with an on-campus pantry were aware of its existence, only 22.2% of food-insecure students endorsed utilizing the pantry for food acquisition” (Adamovicet al., 2020, p.11). While this may be true in some campus communities, it does not apply to every college, or colleges where students may need the support most. Others could additionally argue that food is a manageable monthly expense that everyone can make room for in their budget. They choose what foods to buy, therefore it is their choice how they spend their money.  “Dietary patterns are shaped by systemic factors such as the prevailing food environment, which in recent decades has evolved to be dominated by widespread and heavily marketed nutrient-poor and energy-dense foods” (Barrett, et. al, 2023, p.31). While some students , they could utilize their free resources better, and rework their monthly budgets in order to accommodate for better food. When rent is too expensive, too little aid received, too little access to cheaper foods, for some students, they realistically don’t have access or the ability to get nutritious foods, leading to malnutrition and malnourishment. Addressing systemic issues such as affordability, accessibility, and financial constraints remains essential to ensuring that all students have reliable access to nutritious food. While existing food insecurity initiatives have provided valuable support for many students, the persistence of food insecurity suggests that more can be done.

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Adamovic, E., Newton, P., & House, V. (2020). Food insecurity on a college campus: Prevalence, determinants, and solutions. Journal of American College Health, 70(1), 58–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1725019

Barrett, E. M., Hart, A. C., Bhat, S., Marklund, M., Coyle, D. H., Heenan, M., Pettigrew, S., & Wu, J. HY. (2023). The Effect of Retail Food Environment Interventions on Dietary Behavior in Postsecondary Education Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. The Journal of Nutrition, 153(10), 3122–3130.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.08.034

Bruening, M., Argo, K., Payne-Sturges, D., & Laska, M. N. (2017). The Struggle Is Real: A Systematic Review of Food Insecurity on Postsecondary Education Campuses. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 117(11), 1767–1791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2017.05.022

El Zein, A., Shelnutt, K. P., Colby, S., Vilaro, M. J., Zhou, W., Greene, G., Olfert, M. D., Riggsbee, K., Morrell, J. S., & Mathews, A. E. (2019). Prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among U.S. college students: a multi-institutional study. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 660–660. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6943-6

Freudenberg, N., Goldrick-Rab, S., & Poppendieck, J. (2019). College Students and SNAP: The New Face of Food Insecurity in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 109(12), 1652–1658. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2019.305332

Li, Y., Lee, E. L., & Bennett, S. (2024). Food insecurity among college students: Administrators’ perspective. Journal of American College Health, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2378303

Marmolejo, C., Banta, J. E., Siapco, G., & Baba Djara, M. (2022). Examining the association of student mental health and food security with college GPA. Journal of American College Health, 72(3), 819–825. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2058327

Merhout, F., & Doyle, J. (2019). Socioeconomic Status and Diet Quality in College Students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 51(9), 1107–1112.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2019.06.021

Payne-Sturges, D. C., Tjaden, A., Caldeira, K. M., Vincent, K. B., & Arria, A. M. (2018). Student Hunger on Campus: Food Insecurity Among College Students and Implications for Academic Institutions. American Journal of Health Promotion, 32(2), 349–354. https://doi.org/10.1177/0890117117719620

Royer, M. F., Ojinnaka, C. O., & Bruening, M. (2021). Food Insecurity is Related to Disordered Eating Behaviors Among College Students. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 53(11), 951–956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2021.08.005

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Food insecurity remains a prevalent issue with additional support needed in order to minimize the number of students who are being impacted from an academic and health standpoint. The availability, accessibility and affordability of food costs have significant impacts on nutritional intake, and the lack of food consumption in general for food insecure students. Payne-Sturges et al. (2018) states differences in resources in the form of a meal plan creates restraints in food accessibility, especially seen in first year college students. In the US colleges the author researched, first year students had less food options available to them through their required residential meal plan. At WSU, freshmen are required to live on campus and use a residential meal plan that is pre-paid through their tuition. However, not all food options on campus accept dining dollars. Such as in the CUB food court, only 2 of the 5 food vendors accept dining dollars as a payment method. This limits students, specifically freshmen, when they are unable to choose affordable and nutritionally balanced meals that meet their dietary needs. Bruening et al. (2017) highlights that adequate nutritious food, a fundamental necessity for well-being, may not always be accessible to these students. Additionally, dietary restraint was significantly worse among adults experiencing food insecurity than those who were food secure (Bruening et al., 2017). When the desired foods are not available, with limited access to appropriate grocery stores, and low affordability, students would rather purchase cheap, high-caloric and nutrient-poor foods that they have available to them. But, if colleges can implement more resources on campus, lower the food prices, make more food options available, and expand what a residential meal plan can apply to, students would have greater access to affordable, nutritious meals, reducing food insecurity and promoting overall well-being. These initiatives could encourage healthier eating habits, improve academic performance, and ensure that students are not forced to compromise their health due to financial constraints or lack of available options.

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One of the strongest correlations between underlying factors of food insecurity in students is with household income. Students who receive financial aid are more likely to be food insecure, and even while working a job, they likely don’t make enough to afford quality food due to other necessary expenses. The underlying factors that must be addressed first include the dramatic economic shifts over the past decades, which have disproportionately impacted students from marginalized communities, exacerbating the severity of food insecurity. According to Freudenberg, et al., (2019) college has become more expensive between 1989 and 2016, where the price for a 4-year degree doubled, even after inflation. As the proportion of students from low-income households has increased, the purchasing power of the Pell Grant, the main federal subsidy for low-income undergraduate students, has declined (Freudenberg, et al., 2019). A typical lunch at a residence dining hall on campus is around $10 without a drink or side dish. With a dining plan discount, it can be around $6 to $8, which can save a student quite the amount of money in the long run when looking at finances over the course of two semesters. However, even with these discounts, many students still struggle to afford regular, nutritious meals, in particular those without meal plans or additional financial support. The rising cost of tuition and living expenses forces students to prioritize essential bills over food, leading to increased reliance on food pantries and less nutritious, lower-cost food options.

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Furthermore, food-insecurity can be a strong reflection of a student’s academic success through their grade point average (GPA). In research performed in a study by El Zein et al., (2019), “food-insecure students had significantly higher odds of poor sleep quality, high stress, disordered eating behaviors, and almost twice the risk of having a GPA below 3.00 compared to food-secure students” (para. 23). Not only can hunger keep people awake at night with difficulty sleeping, it creates a ripple effect in their everyday life. With malnourishment, students experience worsened sleep, and all factors that contribute to a poor academic outcome due to a lack of focus and productivity on an empty stomach. This makes resources, such as a food pantry, even more important in order to provide for students in need of food. Evening and weekend availability of free food could be crucial in supporting the academic performance of students experiencing food insecurity.

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Another underlying factor that contributes to food insecurity is the systematic disadvantages posed to marginalized communities.  Li, et al., (2024) further connects how socioeconomic status can directly correlate to how food-secure a student is (p. 25). At the same time, socioeconomic status is closely connected to race, where “students of color on average have lower family incomes, available options, and assets, ultimately making them disproportionately hit by hunger” (Li, et al., 2024, p. 25). Low socioeconomic families are historically first-generation, nontraditional families  (Li, et al., 2024, p. 24). With students of these families experiencing higher rates of food insecurity, financial aid and living expenses do not cancel out, leaving students with minimal to no budget for adequate food. Active initiatives are necessary to aid college students who don’t have access to full meals, in order for them to be successful in their academic journey. WSU held a two-week long event, called Grub at the CUB, where there was free food available for all students at least once per weekday. This included free donuts and coffee every morning. One day included spaghetti for dinner, where students gathered in a long line in the CUB as spaghetti and one breadstick was served for free at 8 pm the first day of finals week. Not only did this event reach a large audience on campus, it was beneficial for all students as the campus provided a free meal to those who came, whether they were in need of food or not. Not only is the inclusivity of these free-meal events powerful in bringing together a diverse community of students, it dismantles past social inequalities, economic disparities and barriers, allowing for everyone to have equal access to such beneficial resources. As tuition costs rise, while financial aid decreases, students of families with low-socioeconomic backgrounds face disproportionate barriers to accessing nutritious food, further hindering their academic success and overall well-being. This only makes inclusive opportunities for nutritious meals even more important on college campuses.