Psychometric Validation of a Standardized Instrument for Assessing Food and Nutrition Security Among College Students

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition Science
• Survey Methodology

Background:

• Food insecurity impacts college students, but existing measures like the USDA 10-item Food Security Survey Module lack validation for this demographic.
• Nutrition security, defined as consistent access to healthy, safe, and affordable foods, lacks a standardized assessment tool for college students.
• There is a need for a validated instrument to assess both food and nutrition security tailored to the unique challenges faced by university students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the validity and reliability of the newly developed College Student Food and Nutrition Security Survey Module (CS-FNSSM).
• To establish a standardized measure for assessing food and nutrition security among college students.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining online surveys with semi-structured cognitive interviews.
• Quantitative data analyzed using Rasch analysis and statistical software (RStudio).
• Qualitative data from interviews were thematically analyzed to confirm participant understanding.

Main Results:

• The CS-FNSSM demonstrated good item performance and structural validity via Rasch analysis.
• The survey module showed strong sensitivity (89.09%) and specificity (76.2%).
• Moderate test-retest reliability (0.59) and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.79) were observed; qualitative data supported item comprehension.

Conclusions:

• The CS-FNSSM is a valid and reliable tool for identifying food and nutrition insecurity in college students.
• Nutrition security emerged as a significant issue, alongside traditional food insecurity.
• Addressing both food and nutrition security is vital for improving college student health and well-being.