Test Validity of a Single-Item Food Insecurity Screening Assessment Among College Students

Given the high prevalence of food insecurity among college students, there is an interest in identifying whether the use of a single item can adequately screen for food insecurity. The current study aimed to determine the validity of a single-item food insecurity screening question among college students.

Cross-sectional study exploring food insecurity among racial and ethnic undergraduate college students.

Large urban U.S. research university.

Undergraduate students (n = 667) 18 years or older.

Food Insecurity screening was assessed via a single-item from the USDA Household Food Security Short Form (USDA FSSM-SF). Food security was assessed via the USDA FSSM-SF, a validated six-item scale that assesses food insecurity and hunger.

Logistic regression assessed the validity of the single-item food insecurity question tested against the USDA FSSM-SF.

The full model was statistically significant, χ2(1) = 161.44, P < .001 explaining 54.5% of the variance in food insecurity status correctly classifying 95.7% of cases. Sensitivity of the model was found to be 97.6%; specificity was found to be 69.6%. Positive predictive value was calculated to be 97.74%; negative predictive value was computed to be 68.09%.

Results support for the test validity of a single-item screening question that can be used to detect food insecurity among college students and inform secondary prevention programs aimed at food insecurity.