The Academic Hunger Gap: From Plates to Well-Being-How Food Insecurity Undermines Quality of Life in University...

Food insecurity, a significant global challenge, is increasingly recognized among university students, potentially impacting their quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity and its association with QoL among university students in Denizli, Türkiye. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1495 university students. Food insecurity was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), categorized as food secure, mild, moderate, or severe insecurity. Quality of life was measured with the SF-12, yielding Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) components of quality of life. The prevalence of food insecurity was 44.9%, with 20.9% experiencing mild, 16.0% moderate, and 8.0% severe food insecurity. Food-insecure students had significantly lower PCS (50.16 ± 8.05 vs. 52.50 ± 6.89, p < 0.001) and MCS scores (38.24 ± 10.30 vs. 41.58 ± 10.28, p < 0.001) compared to food-secure students. A dose-response was observed; increasing food insecurity severity correlated with decreasing PCS and MCS scores (p < 0.001 for both). In multivariable models, food insecurity remained an independent negative predictor of PCS and MCS, alongside other factors such as income, chronic disease, smoking, and gender. Food insecurity affects nearly half of university students and is significantly associated with poorer physical and mental quality of life, even after controlling for various confounding factors. These findings highlight the urgent need for targeted university interventions including campus food assistance programs, enhanced financial aid policies to address food insecurity and improve student well-being.