Food Insecurity As A Longitudinal Predictor Of Diet, Sleep, Mental Health And College Academics PDF Download

Author: Kiara Smith
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Background: Food insecurity (FI) and its negative relationship with GPA has been thoroughly studied cross-sectionally in college students, but few have considered how FI changes over the course of a semester. Further, many previous studies have used the 6-item USDA short form, which is believed to overestimate food insecurity prevalence in this population. None of the other outcomes, besides academic performance measured via GPA alone, have been analyzed by food security status in college students over time. Aims: This study sought to assess the FI prevalence for 2nd and 3rd year undergraduate students at Penn State's University Park campus and how that prevalence changed over a semester. It also sought to analyze associations between FI status and diet, sleep, mental health and academic outcomes. Methods: Participants (n=79 for phase 1, n=77 for phase 2) completed two surveys, one in October and another in December to reflect on the previous month during Fall 2021. FI was assessed using the 10-item Adult Food Security Survey Module. Diet, sleep, mental health and academic outcomes were assessed via validated questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to report food insecurity prevalence and participant demographics. Within-person differences from phase 1 to phase 2 were also analyzed. An unadjusted analysis revealed whether baseline food security status could predict any of the outcomes of interest. Afterwards an adjusted analysis was performed, controlling for potentially confounding variables identified in previous literature, including gender, race, first generation student status, BMI and family financial support. Results: Participants were primarily white (71.8%), non-Hispanic (96.1%) American young adult women (77.2%). FI prevalence was 26.6% at phase 1 and fell to 22.1% at phase 2, although only 1 participant changed status. An adjusted regression model showed that FI participants were more likely to consume 1/2 cup fewer fruits and vegetables, to have worse overall sleep quality, to have worse stress, depression and anxiety symptoms, and to have worse attention span in class. FI was not associated with self-report or university-report GPA, frequency of missing class or self-report ability to understand class material. In all cases, baseline food insecurity status did not predict outcome changes from phase 1 to phase 2. Conclusion: FI prevalence did not change significantly between phases, but this may be attributable to the timing of Fall break. FI was not significantly predictive of a change in GPA, potentially indicating GPA is not a sensitive enough predictor for change over one semester. Despite our sample being at decreased risk for FI and our use of the 10-item USDA Adult Food Security Survey Module, FI prevalence was still higher than the national household average and within the previously identified range of food insecurity prevalence seen in college students. Additionally, further research is needed to determine why FI students have lower GPAs on average, since there was no difference in missing class or self-reported ability to keep up with material.

Author: Lisa Henry
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030318184
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 131

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Book Description
This volume explores the experience of hunger and food insecurity among college students at a large, public university in north Texas. Ninety-two clients of the campus food pantry volunteered to share their experiences through qualitative interviews, allowing the author to develop seven profiles of food insecurity, while at once exploring the impact of childhood food insecurity and various coping strategies. Students highlighted the issues of stigma and shame; the unwillingness to discuss food insecurity with their peers; the physical consequences of hunger and poor nutrition; the associations between mental health and nutrition; the academic sacrifices and motivations to finish their degree in the light of food insecurity; and the potential for raising awareness on campus through university engagement. Henry concludes the book with a discussion of solutions—existing solutions to alleviate food insecurity, student-led suggestions for additional resources, solutions in place at other universities that serve as potential models for similar campuses—and efforts to change federal policy.

Author: Jennifer A. King
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : College students
Languages : en
Pages : 86

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Book Description
Introduction: Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate foods acquired in a socially acceptable manner in order to live an active and healthy life (Anderson, 1990). It has become a high priority public health issue affecting 12-59% of college students making the transition from late adolescence to young adulthood. Risk factors that impact students' vulnerability to food insecurity have been identified and provide rationale for institutions of higher education to take action to ensure adequate student wellbeing. The purpose of this exploratory study is to assess the prevalence and identify predictors of food insecurity among college students, and identify factors that either facilitate or inhibit food assistance resource use. Methodology:A 37-item, online anonymous survey was distributed to students enrolled at a large, Midwestern public university with a campus food pantry on two of eight campuses. Data were collected using a time-modified version of the USDA Food Security Survey Module, a list of stressors compiled with guidance from the National College Health Assessment, as well as a series of questions about food assistance resource use and perceived barriers to accessing assistance. Descriptive statistics were generated to report the prevalence of food insecurity among the sample, barriers to campus food pantry use, and method of resource use. Additionally, simple and multiple multinomial logistic regression were conducted to identify variables significantly associated with food security status and method of food assistance resource use.Results:Among the sample of 4,188 survey participants (14.4% response rate), 35.7% (n=1,495) were food insecure (18.1% and 17.6% experienced low food security and very low food security, respectively). The highest prevalence of food insecurity was observed in students who are female (n=1,022; 69.8%), between the ages of 18-24 (n=1,268; 84.8%), and undergraduate (n=1,287; 86.1%). Students who had very low food security were nearly twice as likely to report experiencing stress about their ability to get food (OR=3.3) versus stress about paying for school (OR=1.3) and housing (OR=1.2). Though food pantries exist at both campuses, only 23% (n=960) of study participants were aware of them. Several perceived barriers to campus food pantry use included lack of knowledge of how to use the resource (77.1%), not wanting others to know of need (59%), and not wanting to be served by peers (50%). Informal resources, such as attending an event serving food, and borrowing or asking others for help, were the most commonly reported means of food assistance used. Approximately 70% (n=1,022) of food insecure students used these methods to acquire meals, while only 1.2% (n=17) reported use of a formal resource (i.e. local food pantry).Conclusion: With over one-third of study participants reporting food insecurity, it is evident that this prominent public health issue significantly impacts this target population. Interdisciplinary intervention development is necessary to address the prevalence of food insecurity of college students and further understand its association with risk factors, as well as assess the barriers to seeking assistance.

Author: Katharine M. Broton
Publisher: JHU Press
ISBN: 1421437732
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 305

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Book Description
The hidden problem of student hunger on college campuses is real. Here's how colleges and universities are addressing it. As the price of college continues to rise and the incomes of most Americans stagnate, too many college students are going hungry. According to researchers, approximately half of all undergraduates are food insecure. Food Insecurity on Campus—the first book to describe the problem—meets higher education's growing demand to tackle the pressing question "How can we end student hunger?" Essays by a diverse set of authors, each working to address food insecurity in higher education, describe unique approaches to the topic. They also offer insights into the most promising strategies to combat student hunger, including • utilizing research to raise awareness and enact change; • creating campus pantries, emergency aid programs, and meal voucher initiatives to meet immediate needs; • leveraging public benefits and nonprofit partnerships to provide additional resources; • changing higher education systems and college cultures to better serve students; and • drawing on student activism and administrative clout to influence federal, state, and local policies. Arguing that practice and policy are improved when informed by research, Food Insecurity on Campus combines the power of data with detailed storytelling to illustrate current conditions. A foreword by Sara Goldrick-Rab further contextualizes the problem. Offering concrete guidance to anyone seeking to understand and support college students experiencing food insecurity, the book encourages readers to draw from the lessons learned to create a comprehensive strategy to fight student hunger. Contributors: Talia Berday-Sacks, Denise Woods-Bevly, Katharine M. Broton, Clare L. Cady, Samuel Chu, Sarah Crawford, Cara Crowley, Rashida M. Crutchfield, James Dubick, Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield, Sara Goldrick-Rab, Jordan Herrera, Nicole Hindes, Russell Lowery-Hart, Jennifer J. Maguire, Michael Rosen, Sabrina Sanders, Rachel Sumekh

Author: Rebecca L. Larson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : College students
Languages : en
Pages : 157

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Book Description
Author's abstract: Introduction: College students experience food insecurity (FI) at higher rates than the U.S. adult population. Food insecurity among college students is frequently associated with several sociodemographic factors; limited social support and coping skills; poor mental and physical health; and poor academic outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of FI among students at Fort Valley State University (FVSU), a Historically Black College & University, factors associated with FI, the impact of FI on academic outcomes, and the influence of social support and coping skills on the relationship between FI and academic outcomes. Methods: A stratified random sample of students enrolled at FVSU completed an anonymous online survey, which assessed food security status and sociodemographic, social support, coping skills, and academic outcomes variables. Univariate logistic regression was computed to determine associations between participant characteristics and FI. Lasso regression analysis was computed to predict FI based on student characteristics. Linear regression analysis was computed to determine if FI predicted academic outcomes. Multiple regression analysis was computed to determine the influence of social support and coping skills on the relationship between FI and academic outcomes. Results: Among survey respondents, 47.3% were food insecure. Parental level of education was associated with FI, as was household income, campus meal plan, parental financial and food support, adequacy of money to buy food and food selection in stores, total food skills and resources score, and class attendance. The total coping skills score and several coping strategies were associated with FI, including sharing food responsibilities, stretching meals, using coupons, borrowing money to purchase food, etc. The two key predictors of FI were hours worked and the coping skills score. FI did not predict academic outcomes. Social support and coping skills did not influence the relationship between FI and academic outcomes. Discussion: Students at FVSU experienced a high rate of FI, higher than reported on several other U.S. campuses. Students use limited resources and social supports to alleviate FI; however they do utilize several coping strategies. Several universities are successfully implementing interventions which may be replicated across other U.S. campuses to alleviate FI.

Author: Jasmine Farahbakhsh
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Food security
Languages : en
Pages : 130

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Book Description
Background: Food insecurity is the limited or uncertain ability to obtain the quantity and/or quality of food that an individual or household needs. The topic of household food insecurity has been investigated in myriad vulnerable groups, including low-income families, women, black and Hispanic households, immigrants, and indigenous populations. Very little work has been conducted on post-secondary students who experience food insecurity. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the food security status and characteristics of students using the Campus Food Bank, and to compare the self-rated health and well-being, diet, and academics between students with severe and non-severe food insecurity. Methods: Face-to-face, structured interviews were conducted with university students who use a campus-based food bank. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, t-tests, and logistic regression were used to process the data on SPSS 21. Results: Fifty-eight students were recruited; the average age was 30.0 ± 8.3 years, 60% were females, 47% were international students, and 50% were graduate students. The majority of students (90%) experienced some degree of food insecurity. Students with severe food insecurity were more likely to experience poor overall health (OR 4.06, 95% CI 1.10-14.78) and mental health (OR 4.96, 95% CI 1.28-19.19), and consume fewer daily fruits, vegetables and legumes (t=2.72, p=0.009) compared to students with non-severe food insecurity. While most students perceived that their academics suffered because of food insecurity, the academic outcomes were more pronounced among students with severe food insecurity. Compared to the University of Alberta student population, and all students who use the Campus Food Bank, our sample had significantly more graduate students, and international students. Discussion / Conclusion: The findings are a testament to the variety of adverse outcomes that food insecurity can have on students' lives. Freezing tuition and compulsory fees and instating a Guaranteed Annual Income for all Canadians could improve the food situation of post-secondary students. Further, food banks could better cater to their clientele by implementing more empowering forms of food aid (such as grocery store gift cards), and asking clients about the foods they would like to receive. This research has provided foundational knowledge about students who access campus food banks. Longitudinal research is needed to ascertain directionality of the association between food insecurity and well-being, and to explore longer-term outcomes of post-secondary student food insecurity, such as graduation rates and employability.

Author: Olfa Karoui
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Food insecurity is characterized by the consumption of low quantity or quality foods, worrying about food supply and/or acquiring foods through socially unacceptable means (Alaimo et al., 2001). Food insecurity is associated with poor physical and mental health putting food insecure students at an increased risk of low performance on standardized assessments (Howard, 2011). This mixed methods study aimed at establishing the relationship between food insecurity and EQAO examination performance in Ottawa, and describes the strategies used to mitigate the effects of food insecurity in schools. The results unveiled that while schools use community-based interventions and provide healthful eating education to parents, food insecurity remains associated to lower test scores on the EQAO grade 3 and grade 6 standardized examinations. As such, current interventions being used within schools in Ottawa are not adequately meeting the needs of food insecure students.

Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309101115
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 425

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Book Description
Clinical practice related to sleep problems and sleep disorders has been expanding rapidly in the last few years, but scientific research is not keeping pace. Sleep apnea, insomnia, and restless legs syndrome are three examples of very common disorders for which we have little biological information. This new book cuts across a variety of medical disciplines such as neurology, pulmonology, pediatrics, internal medicine, psychiatry, psychology, otolaryngology, and nursing, as well as other medical practices with an interest in the management of sleep pathology. This area of research is not limited to very young and old patientsâ€"sleep disorders reach across all ages and ethnicities. Sleep Disorders and Sleep Deprivation presents a structured analysis that explores the following: Improving awareness among the general public and health care professionals. Increasing investment in interdisciplinary somnology and sleep medicine research training and mentoring activities. Validating and developing new and existing technologies for diagnosis and treatment. This book will be of interest to those looking to learn more about the enormous public health burden of sleep disorders and sleep deprivation and the strikingly limited capacity of the health care enterprise to identify and treat the majority of individuals suffering from sleep problems.

Author: John Mirowsky
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351328069
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 403

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Book Description
Education forms a unique dimension of social status, with qualities that make it especially important to health. It influences health in ways that are varied, present at all stages of adult life, cumulative, self-amplifying, and uniformly positive. Educational attainment marks social status at the beginning of adulthood, functioning as the main bridge between the status of one generation and the next, and also as the main avenue of upward mobility. It precedes the other acquired social statuses and substantially influences them, including occupational status, earnings, and personal and household income and wealth. Education creates desirable outcomes because it trains individuals to acquire, evaluate, and use information. It teaches individuals to tap the power of knowledge. Education develops the learned effectiveness that enables self-direction toward any and all values sought, including health. For decades American health sciences has acted as if social status had little bearing on health. The ascendance of clinical medicine within a culture of individualism probably accounts for that omission. But research on chronic diseases over the last half of the twentieth century forced science to think differently about the causes of disease. Despite the institutional and cultural forces focusing medical research on distinctive proximate causes of specific diseases, researchers were forced to look over their shoulders, back toward more distant causes of many diseases. Some fully turned their orientation toward the social status of health, looking for the origins of that cascade of disease and disability flowing daily through clinics. Why is it that people with higher socioeconomic status have better health than lower status individuals? The authors, who are well recognized for their strength in survey research on a broad national scale, draw on findings and ideas from many sciences, including demography, economics, social psychology, and the health sciences. People who are well educated feel in control of their lives, which encourages and enables a healthy lifestyle. In addition, learned effectiveness, a practical end of that education, enables them to find work that is autonomous and creative, thereby promoting good health.

Author: Blandina Bernal-Morales
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
ISBN: 1789237300
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 268

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Book Description
Emotional, physical and social well-being describe human health from birth. Good health goes hand in hand with the ability to handle stress for the future. However, biological factors such as diet, life experiences such as drug abuse, bullying, burnout and social factors such as family and community support at the school stage tend to mold health problems, affecting academic achievements. This book is a compilation of current scientific information about the challenges that students, families and teachers face regarding health and academic achievements. Contributions also relate to how physical activity, psychosocial support and other interventions can be made to understand resilience and vulnerability to school desertion. This book will be of interest to readers from broad professional fields, non-specialist readers, and those involved in education policy.