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Buchanan TD, Sharples A, Gough L, Black AD, Black KE. Nutrition knowledge, body image and food security risk amongst development rugby league players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2024; 64:908-916. [PMID: 38863417 DOI: 10.23736/s0022-4707.24.15885-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to describe the nutrition knowledge, food security risk and eating disorder risk of development male rugby league players. METHODS Sixty athletes from one Australian professional rugby league club volunteered. A cross sectional online survey questionnaire consisted of three sections (Eating Disorders Inventory (EDI-3), Nutrition Knowledge and Food Security). All athletes completed the online survey without assistance using a personal electronic device. RESULTS The mean total knowledge score was 65.7±13.1%. There was a positive relationship between age and knowledge score, P=0.050, r2=0.06. The majority of players had breakfast everyday (N.=45, 73.8%), took pack lunches (N.=33, 55.0%), and had homemade evening meals (N.=55, 91.7%). The majority of players ate more than 1 hour before training (N.=45, 75%) and all players (n=60, 100%) ate within half an hour of training finishing. The majority of participants agreed that nutrition could influence physical and cognitive aspects of nutrition however, skill-based activities were perceived by fewer participants to be influenced by nutrition. The majority (N.=38, 63.3%) had high food security, six (10.0%) had marginal food security, whereas 10 (16.7%) and six (10.0%) had low and very low security respectively. CONCLUSIONS These results show a concerning levels of eating disorder risk, food insecurity and poor nutrition knowledge amongst male development rugby league players. However, it does show that they believe nutrition can impact their health and performance, and they do mostly appear to adhere to the nutrition principals for optimising health and performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alice Sharples
- South Sydney Football Club, Sydney, Australia
- School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
- Human Performance Research Center, University of Technology Sydney, Moore Park, Australia
| | - Liam Gough
- South Sydney Football Club, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Katherine E Black
- Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand -
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Royer MF, Hauser ME, Zamora AN, Campero MI, Garcia D, Gabaray M, Sheats JL, King AC. Serving up FLAN. a food literacy and nutrition intervention to fend off food insecurity. BMC Nutr 2024; 10:102. [PMID: 39044224 PMCID: PMC11264464 DOI: 10.1186/s40795-024-00909-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Food insecurity, an ongoing and accelerating problem in the U.S., is an economic and social condition involving limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Some of the highest rates of food insecurity in 2022 were found among individuals who were Hispanic/Latinx (20.8%), a population that already faces disproportionate health and socioeconomic disadvantages. There remains an urgent health-related need to identify sustainable strategies to prevent food insecurity in the Latinx population. METHODS A first-generation pilot investigation was conducted using data derived from a sub-study connected to the Computerized Physical Activity Support for Seniors (COMPASS) Trial, a 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial among older Latinx adults. The sub-study focused on two nutrition interventions that included (1) the Food Literacy and Nutrition (FLAN) curriculum, and (2) a nutrition information-only control. Research hypotheses aimed to determine whether the FLAN intervention reduced food insecurity and increased daily fruit and vegetable servings. RESULTS On average, participants (n = 39) were 61.5 years of age (SD = 6.7), mostly female (69%), and reported Spanish as their primary language (69%). The FLAN intervention was associated with decreased odds of food insecurity at 12 months (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54, 0.95; p = 0.03) when compared to the nutrition-information only control intervention. Although no between-group differences in daily fruit and vegetable servings were found, there was a significant correlation between changes in daily fruit and vegetable servings from baseline to six months and changes in food insecurity from baseline to 12 months (r = -0.51, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The FLAN intervention, a bilingual and culturally tailored educational curriculum, yielded 12-month improvements in food security among a small sample of older Latinx adults. Evidence from this investigation highlights the potential utility of implementing the FLAN curriculum among individuals who are at an increased risk of food insecurity. Further investigation in a larger sample is merited to determine whether the 12-month decreases in food insecurity that were produced by the FLAN intervention can be replicated. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials gov Identifier: NCT02111213. Registered on 04/02/2014.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Royer
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
| | - Michelle E Hauser
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Palo Alto Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Internal Medicine-Obesity Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Astrid N Zamora
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Maria Ines Campero
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Dulce Garcia
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Martha Gabaray
- Stanford Medicine Children's Health, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Jylana L Sheats
- Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal St, New Orleans, LA, USA
- The Aspen Institute Science & Society Program, District of Columbia, 2300 N St NW, Washington, USA
| | - Abby C King
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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Royer MF, Hauser ME, Zamora AN, Campero MI, Garcia D, Gabaray M, Sheats JL, King AC. Serving Up FLAN. A Food Literacy and Nutrition Intervention to Fend Off Food Insecurity. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4331290. [PMID: 38766254 PMCID: PMC11100874 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4331290/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Background Food insecurity, an ongoing and accelerating problem in the U.S., is an economic and social condition involving limited or uncertain access to adequate food. Some of the highest rates of food insecurity in 2022 were found among individuals who were Hispanic-Latinx (20.8%), a population that already faces disproportionate health and socioeconomic disadvantages. There remains an urgent health-related need to identify sustainable strategies to prevent food insecurity in the Latinx population. Methods A first-generation pilot investigation was conducted using data derived from a sub-study connected to the Computerized Physical Activity Support for Seniors (COMPASS) Trial, a 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial among older Latinx adults. The sub-study focused on two nutrition interventions that included 1) the Food Literacy and Nutrition (FLAN) curriculum, and 2) a nutrition information-only control. Research hypotheses aimed to determine whether the FLAN intervention reduced food insecurity and increased daily fruit and vegetable servings. Results On average, participants (n = 39) were 61.5 years of age (SD = 6.7), mostly female (69%), and reported Spanish as their primary language (69%). The FLAN intervention was associated with decreased odds of food insecurity at 12 months (AOR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.54, 0.95; p = 0.03) when compared to the nutrition-information only control intervention. Although no between-group differences in daily fruit and vegetable servings were found, there was a significant correlation between changes in daily fruit and vegetable servings from baseline to six months and changes in food insecurity from baseline to 12 months (r = -0.51, p = 0.01). Conclusions The FLAN intervention, a bilingual and culturally tailored educational curriculum, yielded 12-month improvements in food security among a small sample of older Latinx adults. Evidence from this investigation suggests the potential utility of implementing the FLAN curriculum among individuals who are at an increased risk of food insecurity. Further investigation in a larger sample is merited to determine whether the 12-month decreases in food insecurity that were produced by the FLAN intervention can be replicated. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02111213.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Royer
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Michelle E Hauser
- Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Astrid N Zamora
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Maria Ines Campero
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Dulce Garcia
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University School of Medicine
| | - Martha Gabaray
- Stanford Medicine Children's Health, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford
| | - Jylana L Sheats
- Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
| | - Abby C King
- Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine
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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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Radtke MD, Steinberg FM, Scherr RE. Methods for Assessing Health Outcomes Associated with Food Insecurity in the United States College Student Population: A Narrative Review. Adv Nutr 2024; 15:100131. [PMID: 37865221 PMCID: PMC10831897 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2023.10.004] [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] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In the United States, college students experience disproportionate food insecurity (FI) rates compared to the national prevalence. The experience of acute and chronic FI has been associated with negative physical and mental health outcomes in this population. This narrative review aims to summarize the current methodologies for assessing health outcomes associated with the experience of FI in college students in the United States. To date, assessing the health outcomes of FI has predominately consisted of subjective assessments, such as self-reported measures of dietary intake, perceived health status, stress, depression, anxiety, and sleep behaviors. This review, along with the emergence of FI as an international public health concern, establishes the need for novel, innovative, and objective biomarkers to evaluate the short- and long-term impacts of FI on physical and mental health outcomes in college students. The inclusion of objective biomarkers will further elucidate the relationship between FI and a multitude of health outcomes to better inform strategies for reducing the pervasiveness of FI in the United States college student population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcela D Radtke
- Propel Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA 94305
| | | | - Rachel E Scherr
- Family, Interiors, Nutrition & Apparel Department, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA, USA, 94132; Scherr Nutrition Science Consulting, San Francisco, CA, 94115.
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Bruening M, Laska MN. Position of the Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior: Food and Nutrition Insecurity Among College Students. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 55:699-709. [PMID: 37656095 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Meg Bruening
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, The College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
| | - Melissa N Laska
- Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
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Xu W, López-Cepero A, O'Neill HJ, Plym A, Austin SB, Mattei J. Food Insecurity Is Associated With Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors Among Adults in Puerto Rico. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 55:644-650. [PMID: 37395692 PMCID: PMC10526718 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.05.255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association between food insecurity and dysfunctional eating behaviors among adults in Puerto Rico. METHODS Data from 865 participants were obtained from baseline interviews from the Puerto Rico Observational Study of Psychosocial, Environmental, and Chronic Disease Trends (PROSPECT) cohort. The association between food insecurity and emotional eating (EE) and uncontrolled eating (UE) (categorized as no/moderate/high) was examined using multinomial logistic models. Potential mediation by perceived stress was explored. RESULTS The prevalence of food insecurity was 20.3%. Compared with adults with food security, adults with food insecurity had higher odds of both moderate EE (odds ratio [OR], 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18-3.09) and high EE (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.75-4.64), and both moderate UE (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 0.91-3.50) and high UE (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.70-6.33). Perceived stress slightly attenuated these associations. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Food insecurity was associated with a higher likelihood of engaging in dysfunctional eating behaviors. Interventions alleviating food insecurity or stress might help adults sustain healthy eating behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqing Xu
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Andrea López-Cepero
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - H June O'Neill
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Anna Plym
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - S Bryn Austin
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA; Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA
| | - Josiemer Mattei
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
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Richson BN, Hazzard VM, Christensen KA, Hagan KE. Do the SCOFF items function differently by food-security status in U.S. college students?: Statistically, but not practically, significant differences. Eat Behav 2023; 49:101743. [PMID: 37209568 PMCID: PMC10681748 DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2023.101743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Despite food insecurity (FI) being associated with eating disorders (EDs), little research has examined if ED screening measures perform differently in individuals with FI. This study tested whether items on the SCOFF performed differently as a function of FI. As many people with FI hold multiple marginalized identities, this study also tested if the SCOFF performs differently as a function of food-security status in individuals with different gender identities and different perceived weight statuses. Data were from the 2020/2021 Healthy Minds Study (N = 122,269). Past-year FI was established using the two-item Hunger Vital Sign. Differential item functioning (DIF) assessed whether SCOFF items performed differently (i.e., had different probabilities of endorsement) in groups of individuals with FI versus those without. Both uniform DIF (constant between-group difference in item-endorsement probability across ED pathology) and non-uniform DIF (variable between-group difference in item-endorsement probability across ED pathology) were examined. Several SCOFF items demonstrated both statistically significant uniform and non-uniform DIF (ps < .001), but no instances of DIF reached practical significance (as indicated by effect sizes pseudo ΔR2 ≥ 0.035; all pseudo ΔR2's ≤ 0.006). When stratifying by gender identity and weight status, although most items demonstrated statistically significant DIF, only the SCOFF item measuring body-size perception showed practically significant non-uniform DIF for perceived weight status. Findings suggest the SCOFF is an appropriate screening measure for ED pathology among college students with FI and provide preliminary support for using the SCOFF in individuals with FI and certain marginalized identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianne N Richson
- Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of California San Diego Eating Disorders Center for Treatment and Research, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Vivienne M Hazzard
- Division of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kara A Christensen
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Kelsey E Hagan
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
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McGowan A, Barry MR, Sonneville KR, Leung CW. Greater social adversity is associated with more disordered eating attitudes and behaviors among children from Southeast Michigan. Int J Eat Disord 2022; 55:1670-1677. [PMID: 35833678 PMCID: PMC10084038 DOI: 10.1002/eat.23775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to examine the association between indicators of social adversity, including socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity, and children's disordered eating behaviors and attitudes. METHODS Children ages 8-10 years old (n = 183) were recruited from Michigan. Data were collected through in-home surveys. The Children's Eating Attitudes Test (ChEAT-24) measured disordered eating attitudes and behaviors in the sample. Cumulative social adversity was considered the sum of four binary variables: caregiver race/ethnicity, caregiver education, household income, and child-reported food security status. Linear mixed models examined the association between social adversity indicators and ChEAT-24 scores. RESULTS Children of primary caregivers of color had significantly higher ChEAT-24 scores than children of white caregivers (p = .03). Children who reported food insecurity had significantly higher ChEAT-24 scores compared to children who reported food security (p = .01). Compared to children with the lowest social adversity score, children with the highest score had a 4.8-unit higher ChEAT-24 score (95% CI .3-9.4), after adjusting for covariates. A significant trend was observed for greater social adversity and higher ChEAT-24 score (p-trend = .02). CONCLUSION A linear association was observed between greater social adversity and more disordered eating behaviors and attitudes among children in this sample. These findings emphasize the need for eating disorder research in children from racial/ethnic minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations to support future prevention efforts. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE Greater exposure to social adversity was associated with more disordered eating behaviors among preadolescent children. Given that eating disorders are understudied in lower-income and minority racial/ethnic populations, this study highlights the need for additional research to better support prevention and treatment efforts among children from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea McGowan
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Mikayla R Barry
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kendrin R Sonneville
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Cindy W Leung
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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Harris CL, Haack S, Miao Z. Everyday discrimination is a stronger predictor of eating competence than food insecurity or perceived stress in college students amidst COVID-19. Appetite 2022; 179:106300. [PMID: 36075312 PMCID: PMC9444333 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Stress is a common experience of college students, which has been exacerbated by COVID-19. Perceived stress may help predict students’ eating behaviors. Eating competence is an adaptive model of eating characterized as being flexible, comfortable, and positive with food and eating, and reliable about getting enough nourishing and enjoyable food to eat. Eating competence is associated with numerous health benefits and may be developing and/or disrupted as young adults transition to college. No prior research has explored the associations of everyday discrimination and food insecurity with eating competence, and there is limited research on the eating competence of trans and gender nonconforming (TGNC) college students. This cross-sectional study sought to examine the associations of everyday discrimination, food insecurity, and perceived stress with eating competence in a sample of 1996 undergraduate students. Participants completed an online survey comprised of validated tools assessing socio-demographics, eating competence, everyday discrimination, food insecurity, and perceived stress and stress management. After accounting for covariates (gender, stress management), multivariate regression analyses were conducted, and the coefficients of partial determination revealed that everyday discrimination was the strongest predictor of eating competence. Results demonstrated that lower experience of everyday discrimination, less stress, and being food secure were associated with greater likelihood of being eating competent (EC). Men were more likely to be EC than women or TGNC identities. Since the experience of everyday discrimination was the strongest, inverse predictor of eating competence, addressing discrimination must be considered in future efforts to improve eating competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristen L Harris
- Department of Epidemiology, Nutritional Sciences Program, School of Public Health, University of Washington, 305 Raitt Hall, Box 353410, Seattle, WA, 98195-3410, USA.
| | - Sarah Haack
- Nutritional Sciences Program, School of Public Health, University of Washington, USA.
| | - Zhen Miao
- Department of Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Washington, USA.
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Coakley KE, Cargas S, Walsh-Dilley M, Mechler H. Basic Needs Insecurities Are Associated with Anxiety, Depression, and Poor Health Among University Students in the State of New Mexico. J Community Health 2022; 47:454-463. [PMID: 35124789 PMCID: PMC8818275 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-022-01073-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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12
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Food insecurity and mental health of college students in Lebanon: a cross-sectional study. J Nutr Sci 2022; 11:e68. [PMID: 36106091 PMCID: PMC9428660 DOI: 10.1017/jns.2022.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of food insecurity (FI) among college students and explore its association with indicators of mental and psychosocial health. Data were collected using a cross-sectional online survey from college students in different universities in Lebanon during the Spring 2021 semester. FI was assessed using the validated eight-item food insecurity experience scale. The mental health of college students was assessed using validated screening tools for depression, anxiety and well-being, namely the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the World Health Organization (WHO-5) index, respectively. Multiple linear regression models were conducted to assess the relationship of FI with PHQ-9, GAD-7 and WHO-5 scores. A total of 745 students completed the online survey. Approximately 39 % of students in the sample were experiencing FI of which 27·4, 8·1, and 3·5 % were experiencing mild, moderate and severe FI , respectively. Low maternal education, low household monthly income and high levels of stress were significant correlates of FI among college students (P-trend < 0·001). In addition, 22·6 and 34·4 % of students showed severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively. Regression models showed that FI was associated with higher scores on PHQ-9 and GAD-7 (β = 2·45; 95 % CI [1·41, 3·49]) and (β = 1·4; 95 % CI [1·1, 2·2], respectively) and lower scores on WHO-5 (β = −4·84; 95 % CI [−8·2, −1·5]). In conclusion, a remarkable proportion of college students reported experiencing different forms of FI, which was associated with poorer mental health and well-being outcomes. Public health programmes and interventions are needed to mitigate FI and improve student health-related outcomes.
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