DID YOU KNOW THAT 26% OF ASU STUDENTS DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FOOD?
FOOD INSECURE STUDENTS ARE 24% MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF SCHOOL.
This page is a catalog of the latest research about food insecurity among college students.
Factors Related to the
High Rates of Food Insecurity
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
From 2014 to 2015, a pilot study aimed at assessing the nutrition and physical activity behaviors of college freshmen found that 32% reported food insecurity in the previous month and 37% of participants reported food insecurity in the previous 3 months. Food insecurity was associated with higher odds of mental health issues, unhealthy eating, and alcohol use behaviors.
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Click here to access this study.
Resting-State Functional Connectivity Differences in College Students with and without Food Insecurity
Nutrients - Nutrition & Public Health Journal
In this 2022 study, researchers examined the relationship between food insecurity and executive function within college students. It was found that college students with food insecurity tend to have lower grade point averages, with executive dysfunction impacting organization, planning, and working memory leading to impaired academic performance.
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Association of Food Desert and Food Swamps with Obesity-Related Cancer Mortality in the US
Journal of American Medical Association, Oncology
In this May 2023 study, researchers examined cancer mortality rates in US counties with low-income food desert or food swamp environments and found a 77% increased odds of having high obesity-related cancer-mortality rates in US counties with a high food swamp score. This is an opportunity to implement sustainable approaches to combat obesity and cancer by providing healthier food items to all.
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Click here to access this study.
Food Insecurity and Mental Health among College Students in the United States
Journal of Affective Disorders
In this April 2022 research study, cross sectional data indicated that food insecurity is related to poor mental health.
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Click here to access this study.
