Prevalence of Low or Very Low Food Security in Undergraduate Nursing Students

Food insecurity occurs when there is a lack of resources to obtain food. This study sought to identify the prevalence of food insecurity in baccalaureate nursing students. Data on demographics, perceived stress, food security, and food access were collected using a survey from 201 baccalaureate nursing students. Nearly 43 percent of students reported food insecurity within the last year. Students reporting food insecurity reported higher levels of perceived stress ( p < .01). Findings support that food insecurity is prevalent in nursing students. An increase in awareness, assessment, and efforts to provide early interventions should be considered.