Multi-Level Determinants of Food Insecurity among Racially and Ethnically Diverse College Students
Nashira I Brown1, Acadia W Buro1,2, Rashida Jones3
1Department of Health Outcomes and Behaviors, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
Nutrients
|September 28, 2023
Summary
Food insecurity is higher in college students, especially minorities. Addressing this requires understanding unique racial/ethnic determinants and developing tailored interventions to reduce disparities.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Disparities
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- Food insecurity (FI) is more prevalent in college students than the general population.
- The COVID-19 pandemic worsened existing FI disparities among students.
- Research on FI determinants among racial/ethnic minority college students is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify population-specific determinants of food insecurity (FI) among racially/ethnically diverse college students.
- To examine FI predictors across behavioral, environmental, and socio-cultural domains.
- To assess FI influences at individual, interpersonal, and community levels.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study of 588 college students was conducted.
- The National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities research framework guided the study.
- Data were collected on behavioral, environmental, and socio-cultural factors at multiple levels of influence.
Main Results:
- Discrimination uniquely predicted FI for non-Hispanic Black students.
- Coping mechanisms (savings, reduced intake) and body mass index (BMI) predicted FI for Hispanic and non-Hispanic White students.
- Decreased faculty/staff support predicted FI for Hispanic students.
Conclusions:
- Understanding race/ethnicity-specific FI determinants is crucial for college students.
- Multi-level, tailored interventions are needed to address college student food insecurity.
- Targeted strategies can help reduce health disparities in food access among diverse student populations.
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