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Goldman BJ, Freiria CN, Landry MJ, Arikawa AY, Wright L. Research trends and gaps concerning food insecurity in college students in the United States: a scoping review. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2024:1-40. [PMID: 38870038 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2024.2351420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This scoping review explores the broad body of peer-reviewed research measuring food insecurity in post-secondary students in the U.S. to identify trends and gaps to inform future research. METHODS Three search engines (PubMed, Web of Science, and CINHAL Full Text) were systematically searched for articles reporting on food security status in U.S. college students. RESULTS One-hundred and sixty studies met inclusion criteria. Emerging high-risk student characteristics include gender non-conforming (GNC) and non-binary, financial independence in college, and pregnant and parenting students. Emerging correlates include lack of transportation, anxiety, and eating disorders. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence data can be used by colleges to advocate for services and programs. Additional multi-institutional cohort, longitudinal and qualitative studies are needed to identify timely interventions and effective solutions. A new "rights-based" approach to food security solutions that includes nutrition and food literacy for all students is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara J Goldman
- Department of Health Science, Palm Beach State College, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA
| | | | - Matthew J Landry
- Department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Andrea Y Arikawa
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Lauri Wright
- Nutrition Programs, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
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Landry MJ, Heying E, Qamar Z, Hagedorn-Hatfield RL, Savoie-Roskos MR, Cuite CL, Zigmont VA, OoNorasak K, Chen S. Advancing college food security: priority research gaps. Nutr Res Rev 2024; 37:108-120. [PMID: 37158045 DOI: 10.1017/s0954422423000094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite over a decade of both quantitative and qualitative studies, food insecurity among US college/university students remains a pervasive problem within higher education. The purpose of this perspective piece was to highlight research gaps in the area of college food insecurity and provide rationale for the research community to focus on these gaps going forward. A group of food insecurity researchers from a variety of higher education institutions across the United States identified five thematic areas of research gaps: screening and estimates of food insecurity; longitudinal changes in food insecurity; impact of food insecurity on broader health and academic outcomes; evaluation of impact, sustainability and cost effectiveness of existing programmes and initiatives; and state and federal policies and programmes. Within these thematic areas, nineteen specific research gaps were identified that have limited or no peer-reviewed, published research. These research gaps result in a limited understanding of the magnitude, severity and persistence of college food insecurity, the negative short- and long-term impacts of food insecurity on health, academic performance and overall college experience, and effective solutions and policies to prevent or meaningfully address food insecurity among college students. Research in these identified priority areas may help accelerate action and interdisciplinary collaboration to alleviate food insecurity among college students and play a critical role in informing the development or refinement of programmes and services that better support college student food security needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Landry
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Emily Heying
- Department of Nutrition, College of Saint Benedict & Saint John's University, Saint Joseph, MN, USA
| | - Zubaida Qamar
- Department of Family, Interiors, Nutrition and Apparel, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Mateja R Savoie-Roskos
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Cara L Cuite
- Department of Human Ecology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Victoria A Zigmont
- Department of Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management, School of Applied Sciences, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, USA
| | - Kendra OoNorasak
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Susan Chen
- Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging, San José State University, San José, CA, USA
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3
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Slotnick MJ, Ansari S, Parnarouskis L, Gearhardt AN, Wolfson JA, Leung CW. Persistent and Changing Food Insecurity Among Students at a Midwestern University is Associated With Behavioral and Mental Health Outcomes. Am J Health Promot 2024; 38:483-491. [PMID: 38130004 PMCID: PMC11044134 DOI: 10.1177/08901171231224102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess associations between persistent and changing food insecurity and behavioral and mental health outcomes in college students. DESIGN Online surveys conducted November 2018 and March 2019 (freshman year), and March 2020 (sophomore year) were used to assess food insecurity, which was then used to create 4 food security transitions: persistent food insecurity, emergent food insecurity, emergent food security, and persistent food security. SETTING Large Midwestern university. SAMPLE 593 students completing all 3 surveys. MEASURES Dietary intake and behavioral and mental health outcomes (eating disorders, anxiety, depression, sleep quality) were assessed using validated instruments. ANALYSIS Associations between food security transitions and dietary intake, behavioral, and mental health outcomes were examined using generalized linear models. RESULTS Compared to persistent food security, emergent and persistent food insecurity was associated with lower (7% and 13% respectively) intake of fruits and vegetables combined; persistent food insecurity was associated with 17% lower intake of fruits, 6% lower intake of fiber and 10% higher intake of added sugar from beverages. Compared to persistent food secure students, eating disorder symptom risk was higher for emergent food insecure (OR = 7.61, 95% CI: 3.32, 17.48), and persistent food insecure (OR = 6.60, 95% CI: 2.60, 16.72) students; emergent (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.14, 3.71) and persistent (OR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.34, 4.87) food insecure students had higher odds of poor sleep quality, and persistent food insecure, emergent food insecure, and emergent food secure students had higher odds of anxiety and depression (OR range 2.35-2.85). CONCLUSION Food security transitions were associated with aspects of low diet quality and poorer behavioral and mental health outcomes among college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Slotnick
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Saba Ansari
- Department of Health Management and Policy, School of Public Health, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | - Julia A Wolfson
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cindy W Leung
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
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4
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Hall RP, Agnew J, Liu W, Petrie L, North C. Systematic investigation of inadequate food access at a large southeastern land grant university. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0298041. [PMID: 38446778 PMCID: PMC10917268 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Over the past decade, the impact of low food security on student well-being and academic performance has become a growing concern at institutions of higher education across the U.S. This mixed methods study adds to the growing body of evidence on the association between student socio-demographic and economic characteristics and food security. An online survey covering food access, student well-being, and housing security was sent to 35,337 undergraduate and graduate students at a large southeastern land grant university. A total of 2,116 complete responses were received; a 6% response rate. The survey responses also included 176 written statements by students. The survey found that 16% of both undergraduate and graduate students had low or very low food security, as defined by a modified USDA food security measure. The socio-demographic and economic characteristics that were linked to a higher likelihood of low food security included: having a GPA of less than 3.0, having a disability, being an international student, being a first-generation student, being a transfer student, going into debt to pay for food, being a Black or African American student, having poor mental health, having uncertain living arrangements, and having no medical insurance. Recommendations for enhancing student access to food, housing, and mental health services are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph P. Hall
- The School of Public and International Affairs, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Jessica Agnew
- CALS Global, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Lana Petrie
- College of Agriculture, Tennessee State University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Chris North
- Department of Computer Science, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
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Batchelder HR, Drake C, Johnson T, Alfaro JM, Phillips RG, Szigethy T, DelVecchio M, Zhang K, Snyderman R. Risk factors of food insecurity among students at diverse post-secondary education institutions: a cross-sectional examination. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37725537 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2252520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Identify the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) and compare sociodemographic, mental, physical, behavioral, and environmental risk factors for FI among students at a private university, community college, and historically black college or university (HBCU). PARTICIPANTS Adult students attending a private university, community college, or HBCU (n = 4,140) located within the southeastern United States. METHODS Using an online survey (2017-2019), FI, sociodemographic, mental, physical, behavioral, and environmental data were collected to understand their association with FI. RESULTS Up to 37.1% of students experienced FI. Identifying as black, other/multi-racial, having poor sleep, federal loans, depressive symptoms, high stress, social isolation, or a chronic condition were associated with FI. These associations varied by institution. CONCLUSIONS FI is prevalent within diverse post-secondary institutions that serve traditional and nontraditional students with risk factors varying between institutions. The prevalence of FI and risk factors can inform institutional policy responses to ameliorate the effects of FI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather R Batchelder
- Duke Center for Personalized Health Care, Office of the Chancellor Emeritus, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Connor Drake
- Duke Center for Personalized Health Care, Office of the Chancellor Emeritus, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Tyler Johnson
- Duke Center for Personalized Health Care, Office of the Chancellor Emeritus, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Jorge M Alfaro
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ruth Gilliam Phillips
- Student Health and Counseling, North Carolina Central University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas Szigethy
- Students Affairs, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Marina DelVecchio
- Department of English and Communications, Durham Technical Community College, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Kate Zhang
- Students Affairs, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ralph Snyderman
- Duke Center for Personalized Health Care, Office of the Chancellor Emeritus, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Lee Y, Yoon H, Kim T, Jung H. Food Insecurity during the Pandemic in South Korea: The Effects of University Students' Perceived Food Insecurity on Psychological Well-Being, Self-Efficacy, and Life Satisfaction. Foods 2023; 12:3429. [PMID: 37761140 PMCID: PMC10528267 DOI: 10.3390/foods12183429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examined the impact of university students' perceptions of food insecurity on psychological well-being, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction and observed that the students' gender plays a moderating role in this causal relationship, based on a total of 491 university students who participated in this empirical study. This study used SPSS (Version 22.0) and AMOS (Version 20.0) for the analyses. This study examines the structural relationship of this causal model. Our findings suggest that students' perceived food insecurity negatively affects the status of their psychological well-being and self-efficacy. However, contrary to expectations, perceived food insecurity has no negative effects on students' life satisfaction. In addition, the level of students' psychological well-being positively influences their life satisfaction, while self-efficacy does not. The moderating effects of gender differences in this research were also disclosed. Limitations and future research directions are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoojin Lee
- Smart Education Platform, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (Y.L.); (T.K.)
| | - Hyehyun Yoon
- Department of Culinary Arts and Foodservice Management, College of Hotel & Tourism Management, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea;
| | - Taehee Kim
- Smart Education Platform, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea; (Y.L.); (T.K.)
| | - Hyosun Jung
- Center for Converging Humanities, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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Tripathy K, Bhasin R, McKinzie R, Sackett A, Storrs ME, Janda KM. Food insecurity disparities and impact on academic and social experiences among college students at a large public university. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-8. [PMID: 36996426 PMCID: PMC10544684 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2194435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This research seeks to understand food insecurity experiences among students at a large public university in the southern United States. Participants: Participants consented and completed an online survey disseminated on campus in April-May 2021 (N = 418). The participants sampled were predominantly undergraduate (78.2%), females (72.4%), who lived off campus (54.1%), and were racially/ethnically diverse. Methods: Descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic regression, and chi-squared tests were used to examine the differences and association between demographic characteristics and behaviors and food insecurity status. Results: About 32% students surveyed had experienced food insecurity in the last year, which resembles national trends. There were significant differences in students' food insecurity status by race, sexual orientation, first-generation status, residential category, and main mode of transportation. Food insecurity impacted academic and socioeconomic student behaviors. Conclusions: This research has implications for improving the academic, physical, and psychological wellbeing of university students and should inform future programs and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisha Tripathy
- Food Insecurity Action Team, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Ria Bhasin
- Food Insecurity Action Team, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Riley McKinzie
- Food Insecurity Action Team, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Abigail Sackett
- Food Insecurity Action Team, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Martha-Ellen Storrs
- Food Insecurity Action Team, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Janda
- Baylor University, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Department of Public Health, Waco, Texas, USA
- UTHealth Science Center School of Public Health – Austin Campus, Austin, Texas, USA
- Michael and Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, Austin, Texas, USA
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8
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Lemp H, Lanier J, Wodika A, Schalasky G. Impact of food insecurity on the health and well-being of college students. JOURNAL OF AMERICAN COLLEGE HEALTH : J OF ACH 2023:1-10. [PMID: 36943238 DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2187631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To assess the impact of food insecurity on college student health and wellbeing. Participants: Sample of self-identified, food-insecure college students from a large midwestern university. Methods: a qualitative study utilizing interviews and photovoice measured the impacts of food insecurity. Results: Findings demonstrate that college students experience a large variety of negative health impacts among various dimensions of well-being because of food insecurity. Additionally, various barriers impact the effectiveness of university and community efforts to support food-insecure students. Conclusions: Future work addressing nutrition and food security on college campuses should focus on exploring effective policy-level and organizational-level interventions that decrease the occurrence of food insecurity among students, address each dimension of health affected by food insecurity, and decrease the occurrence of barriers that impact the effectiveness of university and community efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley Lemp
- Department of Health Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Jacqueline Lanier
- Department of Health Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Alicia Wodika
- Department of Health Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
| | - Gabriella Schalasky
- Department of Health Sciences, Illinois State University, Normal, Illinois, USA
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9
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Savoie-Roskos MR, Hood LB, Hagedorn-Hatfield RL, Landry MJ, Patton-López MM, Richards R, Vogelzang JL, Qamar Z, OoNorasak K, Mann G. Creating a culture that supports food security and health equity at higher education institutions. Public Health Nutr 2022; 26:1-7. [PMID: 36321438 PMCID: PMC9989698 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980022002294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Food insecurity on college campuses is a major public health problem and has been documented for the last decade. Sufficient food access is a crucial social determinant of health, thus campuses across the country have implemented various programmes, systems and policies to enhance access to food which have included food pantries, campus gardens, farmers' markets, meal share or voucher programmes, mobile food applications, campus food gleaning, food recovery efforts, meal deliveries and task force/working groups. However, little is understood about how to best address food insecurity and support students who are struggling with basic needs. The impact of food insecurity on students' academic and social success, in addition to their overall well-being, should be investigated and prioritised at each higher education institution. This is especially true for marginalised students, such as minority or first-generation students, who are at heightened risk for food insecurity. In order to create a culture of health equity, in which most at-risk students are provided resources and opportunities to achieve optimal well-being, higher education institutions must prioritise mitigating food insecurity on the college campus. Higher education institutions could benefit from adopting comprehensive and individualised approaches to promoting food security for marginalised students in order to facilitate equal opportunity for optimal scholastic achievement among students of all socio-demographic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateja R Savoie-Roskos
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, USA
| | - Lanae B Hood
- Department of Nutrition, Health and Human Performance, Meredith College, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | - Matthew J Landry
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Megan M Patton-López
- School of Public Health and Health Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Rickelle Richards
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Science, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
| | - Jody L Vogelzang
- School of Interdisciplinary Health, Allied Health Sciences, Grand Valley State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Zubaida Qamar
- Family, Interiors, Nutrition and Apparel (FINA), San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kendra OoNorasak
- Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Georgianna Mann
- Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, University of Mississippi, University, MS, USA
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College Campus Food Pantry Program Evaluation: What Barriers Do Students Face to Access On-Campus Food Pantries? Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14142807. [PMID: 35889765 PMCID: PMC9324299 DOI: 10.3390/nu14142807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore barriers Texas Woman's University (TWU) students face in accessing on-campus food pantries. This cross-sectional, survey-based study was conducted in Fall 2021. Students' use of the food pantries and barriers to utilization, including qualitative questions, were evaluated using descriptive statistics and thematic analyses. Students (n = 529) completed the survey. Despite a high prevalence of food insecurity (49.2%), most students reported never using the pantries (89.8%). Almost half of the students were unaware that these pantries existed on campus (47.8%). More than one in four students believed there were barriers to accessing the pantries, with time tissues, lack of transportation, limited food pantry hours of operation, and social stigma most commonly cited as major barriers to access. Food insecurity remains an urgent problem at TWU since the prevalence has remained high since 2019 despite the institutions' efforts to reduce it. One of those resources has not been utilized as expected, which might impede improvements in food security among students. TWU on-campus food pantries can use these findings to address major barriers by offering after-hours access through the libraries or campus police, partnering with public transportation, and normalizing accessing food assistance.
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