Food insecurity among graduate students: prevalence and association with depression, anxiety and stress

Research trends and gaps concerning food insecurity in college students in the United States: a scoping review

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.

COVID-19-related stressors exacerbate food insecurity and depressive symptoms among graduate students receiving campus basic needs services: Cross-sectional findings from seven California public universities

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, food insecurity and depression were growing public health concerns among graduate students. Yet, little is known about how COVID-19-related stressors exacerbated these health outcomes among graduate students. To address this research gap, this study examined two types of COVID-19-related stressors, anticipated concerns about remote learning and challenges interfering with academic and research responsibilities, in relation to food insecurity and depressive symptoms among public university graduate students. Between August and October 2020, 631 graduate students who utilised basic needs services from seven University of California campuses completed an online survey assessing the effects of COVID-19 on their academic experiences, mental health, and basic needs security. Regression analyses examined associations of COVID-19-related concerns and COVID-19-related challenges with food insecurity as well as COVID-19-related concerns and COVID-19-related challenges in relation to depressive symptoms. All four models were adjusted for age, sex, race and ethnicity, campus affiliation, and living with a partner. Models examining food security status as the dependent variable were adjusted for depressive symptoms and vice versa. Graduate students concerned about delayed graduation, post-graduate employment, isolation from faculty and not having access to healthcare reported higher counts of depressive symptoms. Challenges associated with higher counts of depressive symptoms included caring for family more than usual, spending more time on errands and not paying for utilities in full. Students concerned about accessing healthcare had higher odds of experiencing food insecurity. Challenges associated with food insecurity included spending more time on errands, being unable to afford housing and sending money to family members during the pandemic. Our findings illuminate the pandemic's deleterious consequences on graduate students' mental health and food security, underscoring the need for strong academic and basic needs programs and policies.

Systematic investigation of inadequate food access at a large southeastern land grant university

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.

Psychological Distress and Food Insecurity among International Students at a Hungarian University: A Post-Pandemic Survey

The aim of the present study was two-fold: Firstly, to estimate the prevalence of psychological distress among international students at a Hungarian university two years after the COVID-19 outbreak; and secondly, to identify its demographic and socioeconomic factors, with special regard to the students' food-security status. A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was carried out from 27 March to 3 July 2022 among international students at the University of Debrecen. The questionnaire included information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, food-security status (six-item United States Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey Module (USDA-FSSM)), and psychological distress (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21)). Bivariate analysis was conducted to examine the potential associations between demographic/socioeconomic factors and psychological distress. Additionally, multiple logistic regression was employed to further analyze these associations. Of 398 participants, 42.2%, 48.7%, and 29.4% reported mild to extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. The ages 18-24 (AOR = 2.619; 95% CI: 1.206-5.689) and 25-29 (AOR = 2.663; 95% CI: 1.159-6.119), reporting a low perception of health status (AOR = 1.726; 95% CI: 1.081-2.755), and being food insecure (AOR = 1.984; 95% CI: 1.274-3.090) were significantly associated with depressive symptoms. Being female (AOR = 1.674; 95% CI: 1.090-2.571), reporting a low perception of health status (AOR = 1.736; 95% CI: 1.098-2.744), and being food insecure (AOR = 2.047; 95% CI: 1.327-3.157) were significantly associated with anxiety symptoms. Furthermore, being female (AOR = 1.702; 95% CI: 1.026-2.824)), living with roommates (AOR = 1.977; 95% CI: 1.075-3.635), reporting a low perception of health status (AOR = 2.840; 95% CI: 1.678-4.807), and being food insecure (AOR = 2.295; 95% CI:1.398-3.767) were significantly associated with symptoms of stress. Psychosocial programs combined with strategies to alleviate food insecurity are required to enhance international students' mental health and well-being.

Methods for Assessing Health Outcomes Associated with Food Insecurity in the United States College Student Population: A Narrative Review

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.

Food insecurity in international and domestic students at an Australian university 2 years into the global COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this article is to explore the differences in the prevalence, sociodemographic determinants, and effects of food insecurity between international and domestic students in an Australian university during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

This study uses a cross-sectional online survey. The questionnaire contained the 18-item Household Food Security Survey Module to assess food security status. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the associations between student characteristics and food insecurity. A total of 467 students (376 domestic and 91 international) attending a large university in Sydney completed the survey between October 2021 and May 2022.

RESULTS

Compared with domestic students (13.0% food insecure), international students (18.7% food insecure) had higher odds of being food insecure in our sample (odds ratio = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.01-4.07; P = 0.013). Different risk factors for food insecurity were identified in these two student groups (e.g., being undergraduates and living outside the parental home, for domestic students, and, for international students, living in accommodation that provided meals that did not suit their preferences and experiencing changes in living arrangements due to the pandemic). Lower fruit intake was reported by food-insecure domestic students. Poor well-being was reported by both food-insecure domestic and international students. International students with food insecurity were more likely to use food assistance services than food-insecure domestic students.

CONCLUSIONS

International students experienced a higher risk of food insecurity than domestic students during the pandemic in Australia. More tailored interventions to address food insecurity need to be developed for international and domestic students by considering their different experiences.

Evaluation of food security status, psychological well-being, and stress on BMI and diet-related behaviors among a sample of college students

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate food insecurity on body mass index (BMI) and diet-related behaviors among college students and whether psychological well-being (PWB) and stress levels mediate this relationship.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Data from 1439 students from the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment III (Fall 2020) were used. Food security status was evaluated by the USDA Six-Item Short Form. PWB was measured using the Diener Flourishing Scale. Diet-related behaviors included the average servings of fruits, vegetables, and sugar-sweetened beverages consumed per day. Stress was measured by self-reported levels. Regression model analysis evaluated the influence of food security status, PWB, and stress levels on BMI. PWB and stress were also tested as mediators in the relationship between food insecurity and BMI.

RESULTS

Among our sample of college students, 44.54% (n = 641) were food insecure, and 55.46% (n = 798) were food secure. Multiple regression analysis showed that higher food insecurity, older age, full-time enrollment status, and fifth-year student status were positively associated with a higher BMI score (P < 0.05). Results from mediation models revealed that PWB, but not stress, mediated the relationship between food security and BMI among Black/African American students. Regarding diet-related behaviors, high stress levels mediated the relationship between food insecurity and sugar-sweetened beverage intake among students.

CONCLUSIONS

Food insecurity appears to influence BMI in college students. This relationship seems to be mediated by disrupted PWB and a higher intake of sugar-sweetened beverages due to stress.

Food Insecurity, Food Assistance, and Psychological Distress among University Students: Cross-Sectional Survey Western Australia, 2020

University students have been identified as a population sub-group vulnerable to food insecurity. This vulnerability increased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess factors associated with food insecurity among university students and the differences between students with and without children. A cross-sectional survey of (n = 213) students attending one university in Western Australia measured food insecurity, psychological distress, and socio-demographic characteristics. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with food insecurity. Forty-eight percent of students who responded to the survey had experienced food insecurity in 2020. International students who were studying in Australia were nine times more likely to experience food insecurity than domestic students (AOR = 9.13; 95% CI = 2.32-35.97). International students with children were more likely to experience food insecurity than international students without children (p < 0.001) and domestic students with (p < 0.001) or without children (p < 0.001). For each unit increase in depression level, the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity increased (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.12-2.33). Findings show a higher prevalence of food insecurity among international university students and students with children during the COVID-19 pandemic and that food insecurity was associated with higher levels of psychological distress. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the risk of food insecurity among Australian university students, particularly among international students, students with children, and those experiencing psychological distress.

Food Insecurity in Higher Education: A Contemporary Review of Impacts and Explorations of Solutions

Food insecurity is a global phenomenon which impacts a variety of social, economic, and life-stage groups. One such group affected by food insecurity is college students, who tend to experience food insecurity at a prevalence which exceeds the average of their local communities. The impacts of food insecurity in this population are multifaceted and have implications for their college experience and beyond. Food insecurity has been observed to have negative effects on college student academic performance, physical health, and mental health. This review explores the impacts of and solutions for food insecurity in this population globally, with particular emphasis on the United States, and specifically California.

Assessing the relationship between food insecurity and lifestyle behaviors among university students: a comparative study between Lebanon and Germany

BACKGROUND

Food insecurity is a common public health problem in both developed and developing countries. This study aimed to profile food insecurity among university students in a developed country with stable economic circumstances (Germany) and a developing Mediterranean country undergoing a severe economic and financial crisis (Lebanon) and examine the associations between food insecurity and lifestyle behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sleep, and adherence to a healthy eating pattern, such as the Mediterranean diet), stress, and financial well-being.

METHOD

This online cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2021 and March 2022. Subjects were recruited through social media platforms (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and personal email) and in-class announcements by several university professors of various majors and from different universities in Lebanon and Germany. The final sample included 547 participants (197 from Lebanon and 350 from Germany).

RESULTS

Our findings showed a higher food insecurity rate in Lebanon compared with Germany (59% versus 33%). In the bivariate analysis, food insecurity was associated with insomnia (r = 0.230; p < 0.001) and stress (r = 0.225; p = 0.001); German university students had higher physical activity (p < 0.001), better diet quality (p < 0.001), and lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (p < 0001) than Lebanese students. In the multivariable analyses, more stress was related to insomnia (B = 0.178; p < 0.001), while financial well-being was not associated with any of the lifestyle behaviors. Physical activity, insomnia, and Mediterranean diet adherence were not associated with the country or food insecurity (p > 0.05); however, living in Germany was associated with better diet quality (B = -7.85; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The high prevalence of food insecurity reported in this study is alarming, particularly among Lebanese students; German students had better diet quality and higher physical activity but worse adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Moreover, food insecurity was also associated with worse sleep and stress. Further studies are necessary to assess the role of food insecurity as a mediating factor between sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors.

Food Insecurity and Substance Use Among Young Adult College Students in the United States

BACKGROUND

Food insecurity is prevalent among college students in the United States and has been associated with substance use. We sought to provide updated prevalence estimates and associations between food insecurity and a broad range of substances during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

METHODS

Using cross-sectional data from the Health Minds Study (N = 94,722; September 2020-June 2021), we used multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between food insecurity and several substances, adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, hours worked, and residence. We then added a block of adjustments consisting of mental health factors (depression, anxiety, loneliness, financial stress).

RESULTS

Food insecurity was associated with significantly greater odds of having used most individual substances, including greater odds of binge drinking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13-1.30), cigarette use (aOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.73-2.10), vaping (aOR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.62-1.87), and a range of illicit or prescription drugs (using any illicit/prescription drug; aOR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.32-1.55) These associations attenuated and many lost significance after adjusting for mental health factors.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found evidence to suggest that food insecurity is related to substance use in a large sample of young adult college students in the United States, calling for targeted interventions.

Higher Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Psychological Distress among International University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Australian Perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic and related disruptions have not only affected university students' learning and academic outcomes, but also other issues, such as food security status, mental health and employment. In Australia, international students faced additional pressures due to sudden border closures and lack of eligibility for government-provided financial support. This study explored the experiences of domestic and international university students residing in Australia during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic across a range of outcomes. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between July and September 2020 at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. The online survey included food insecurity status, mental health (psychological distress), disruptions to study, employment and sleep. A total of 105 students (n = 66 domestic and n = 39 international) completed the survey. Respondents reported having food insecurity (41.9%) and psychological distress (52.2%, with high and very high levels), with international students reporting significantly higher food insecurity (OR = 9.86 (95% CI 3.9-24.8), p < 0.001) and psychological distress scores (t(90) = 2.68, 95% CI: 1.30 to 8.81, p = 0.009) than domestic students. About one quarter of all respondents reported disruptions to study and employment status around the time of the survey. When asked what government support should be provided for international students, 'financial aid' was the most frequently suggested form of support. This research may help governments and educational institutions design appropriate support, particularly financial and psychological, for both international and domestic university students.

Navigating Hidden Hunger: An Exploratory Analysis of the Lived Experience of Food Insecurity among College Students

College students are a vulnerable population to food insecurity (FI), which has significant implications for academic and health outcomes. The aims of this study were to explore the meaning of FI and its impact on students' lived experiences and food decisions, facilitators and barriers to food access as a student, and students' proposed solutions to address FI. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with thirty students from a large, public land grant university in the Southeast United States. Grounded theory methodology was utilized with a constant comparative coding strategy to guide thematic analysis. Nine main themes emerged. Themes included the perceived meaning of FI, students' lived experience with FI, and food related coping strategies and decisions. Facilitators to food access were found to be social-networks and on-campus resources, while barriers to food access included financial burden of higher education, and stigma and social comparison. Proposed solutions to FI aligned with two main themes: food access solutions and information access solutions. Both of these themes included multiple subthemes that provided specific suggestions to address food insecurity for students. The findings aid in understanding the complex lived experience of FI and can inform future efforts to center student experiences, perceptions, and feedback into institutional frameworks to best meet student needs.

Food insecurity and mental health among young adult college students in the United States

BACKGROUND

Food insecurity is prevalent among college students in the United States and has been associated with mental health problems. However, the literature is not entirely consistent and is missing key aspects of mental health.

METHODS

Using cross-sectional data from the Health Minds Study (N = 96,379; September 2020-June 2021), we used multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between food insecurity and several aspects of mental health (i.e., depression, anxiety, languishing, perceived need, loneliness, self-injurious behaviors), adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, financial distress, and parental education.

RESULTS

Food insecurity was associated with greater odds of having depression, anxiety, languishing, perceived need for help, loneliness, and self-injurious behaviors, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and markers of socioeconomic status.

CONCLUSION

This study found evidence to suggest that food insecurity is related to poor mental health in a large sample of young adult college students in the United States, calling for targeted interventions.

Food insecurity is associated with eating disorders independent of depression and anxiety: Findings from the 2020-2021 Healthy Minds Study

OBJECTIVE

To examine the association between food insecurity and eating disorder (ED) risk independent of co-occurring anxiety/depression.

METHOD

Data were provided by 121,627 undergraduate/graduate students who participated in the 2020-2021 Healthy Minds Study (HMS). Participants responded to questionnaire measures of food insecurity and risk for EDs, depression, and anxiety. Established cut-offs were used to identify students with food insecurity and probable psychopathology. Separate modified Poisson regressions adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic background examined the association between food insecurity and each form of psychopathology. The association between food insecurity and probable ED was then examined in a regression further adjusted for probable depression and anxiety.

RESULTS

Food insecurity was significantly associated with all three forms of psychopathology when examined separately (prevalence ratios ranged from 1.41 to 1.54, all p's < .001). When accounting for probable depression/anxiety, food insecurity was significantly associated with 1.19 times greater prevalence of a probable ED (p < .001).

DISCUSSION

The association between food insecurity and EDs was replicated in a large, national sample of university students. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the independence of this relationship after adjusting for depression/anxiety. This finding supports the hypothesis that specific mechanisms, rather than general psychological distress, likely underlie the food insecurity-ED relationship.

Food security, mental health, and socioeconomic status: A cross-sectional study among medical college students in central part of Iran, Kashan

Background and Aims

Food security is a complex and multidimensional issue that has been recognized as a serious public health problem all over the world for the past two decades. The present study was designed and conducted to determine the prevalence of food insecurity among college students at the Kashan University of Medical Sciences and some related factors including socioeconomic and mental health determinants.

Methods

The present study is a cross‐sectional study conducted on 358 students who were currently studying at the Kashan University of Medical Sciences. The students who were pregnant or had a special diet to follow were excluded. Samples were selected by the systematic method. Food security was measured using United States Department of Agriculture. Food Frequency Questionnaire, 21‐items Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, and Socioeconomic Questionnaire were used to investigate the nutrients intake, depression/anxiety status, and socioeconomic factors, respectively. Chi‐square, independent t‐test, and logistic regression were used to analyze the data.

Results

Based on the findings of the present study, 16.8% of students experienced different levels of food insecurity, and 83.2% of participants were categorized as food secure. Gender, financial assistance, health insurance, depression, and students' occupation are associated with food insecurity (P < .05). Additionally, the results of the logistic regression analysis showed that depression (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01‐1.07), and students' jobs (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.23‐0.80) have the greatest impact on students' food insecurity.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study show that economic factors and gender have a significant impact on students' food security. Moreover, the association of food insecurity with mental disorders such as depression was demonstrated in the current study. However, we could not detect any significant association between daily energy intake and macronutrients which indicates the requirement for more detailed studies.

Food Security Characteristics Vary for Undergraduate and Graduate Students at a Midwest University

The study objective was to determine prevalence of food insecurity and its associations with socioecological model (SEM) characteristics for undergraduate and graduate students. An online questionnaire was distributed to a convenience sample of students aged 18-34 at a Midwestern university. Of the 938 responses, 675 were complete for analysis. Outcome measures included demographics, food security level, housing, food access barriers, coping strategies, and food assistance program usage. Results found that predictors associated with undergraduate food insecurity included non-White race, receipt of financial aid, lower self-reported health status, living off-campus, employment, and food cost (p < 0.001). Graduate student food insecurity was associated with Asian self-identification, employment, food cost, no time to prepare foods, and lack of foods for dietary needs (p < 0.001). Students with food insecurity were more likely to buy cheap food (p < 0.001). Almost 50% of food-insecure undergraduates asked friends or family to help buy food. Food-insecure students were more likely to want information on meal preparation and budgeting. More graduate students were likely to know of and use food pantries. Overall, food insecurity was higher among undergraduate than graduate students. Universities should consider institutional and policy changes tailored to the separate populations to mitigate the prevalence of campus food insecurity.

Mental Well-Being in UK Higher Education During Covid-19: Do Students Trust Universities and the Government?

This paper draws upon the concept of recreancy to examine the mental well-being of university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Briefly, recreancy is loss of societal trust that results when institutional actors can no longer be counted on to perform their responsibilities. Our study of mental well-being and recreancy focuses on the role of universities and government regulators within the education sector. We surveyed 600 UK students attending 161 different public higher education providers in October 2020 during a time when many UK students were isolated in their residences and engaged in online learning. We assessed student well-being using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (scored 7–35) and found the mean score to be 19.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 19.6, 20.2]. This level of well-being indicates that a significant proportion of UK students face low levels of mental well-being. Structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis indicates that high recreancy—measured as a low trust in universities and the government—is associated with low levels of mental well-being across the student sample. While these findings are suggestive, they are also important and we suggest that government and university leaders should not only work to increase food and housing security during the Covid-19 pandemic, but also consider how to combat various sector trends that might intensify recreancy.

Associations between insecurity and stress among Chinese university students: The mediating effects of hope and self-efficacy

BACKGROUND

In the context of the pandemic, exploration on the association between insecurity and stress among university students is limited. The current study aims to investigate the parallel mediation role of hope and self-efficacy in the relationship between insecurity and stress among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

We employed a cross-sectional research design in a university by distributing questionnaires online. 5286 participants were recruited (mean age = 19.65; SD = 1.13). Items were from the Security Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21, and the Positive Psychology Capital (Psycap) Questionnaire (PPQ). Parallel mediation analysis was performed using PROCESS macro in SPSS.

RESULTS

The results indicate that insecurity predicted students' stress positively and that students with high-level perceived insecurity are more likely to perceive stress. Moreover, hope and self-efficacy mediated the relationship between insecurity and stress, indicating that hope and self-efficacy could buffer the negative effects of insecurity on stress.

LIMITATIONS

This study examines the mediating model between insecurity and stress among Chinese university students. The generalizability of the findings in other regions remains to be explored. Additionally, the roles of other positive self-beliefs including optimism and resilience in relieving stress can be further explored in future research.

CONCLUSIONS

This research provides direct evidence of insecurity effects on stress among university students, enriching relevant theories in the field of stress. Moreover, this research suggests that enhancing positive self-beliefs such as hope, and self-efficacy helps to relieve students' stress during COVID-19.

Food Insecurity, Depression, and Race: Correlations Observed Among College Students at a University in the Southeastern United States

Food insecurity is common among college students in the United States and is associated with poorer health-related outcomes and academic performance. The aims of this study were to assess the prevalence of food insecurity at a large, public university in Mississippi, a state with the second highest rate of food insecurity in the nation, and to examine the associations between food insecurity, depression, and race in this group of students. Food security was measured using the United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form, and depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. In total, 131 students ages 18-24 participated in the study. Food insecurity was present in 38.2% of students surveyed. The odds of food insecurity were higher among African American students compared to Caucasian students (OR = 3.50, 95% CI: 1.38, 8.90). Students with very low food security had 4.52-times greater odds of having depression than food-secure students (p = 0.011, 95% CI: 1.42, 14.36). Neither body mass index nor body fat percentage were associated with food security status. Further research is needed on strategies to address the risk of depression among food-insecure college students and the racial disparity in food insecurity rates present among college students.