IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2019i1p60-d300031.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Predictors of Food Insecurity among Australian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Megan C. Whatnall

    (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia
    Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia)

  • Melinda J. Hutchesson

    (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia
    Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia)

  • Amanda J. Patterson

    (School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia
    Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia)

Abstract

Food insecurity is much higher among university students than the general population, and is linked with poorer mental health, diet and academic achievement. The aim of this study was to explore the level of food insecurity among a sample of Australian university students and determine which socio-demographic and student characteristics predict food insecurity. An online cross-sectional survey with students from the University of Newcastle, Australia was conducted in 2017–2018. Food insecurity was assessed using the 6-item US Department of Agriculture Food Security Survey Module, and socio-demographic (e.g., age, living situation) and student characteristics (e.g., undergraduate/postgraduate student) were captured. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the odds of food insecurity for each of the socio-demographic and student characteristics, and included characteristics of significance in bivariate analyses as potential confounders. Data for 366 students were analysed (mean age 27.3 ± 10.4 years, 27.3% male). Forty-eight percent of participants were food insecure. The odds of food insecurity were higher among students living in rental accommodation compared with their parents’ home (OR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.41, 4.06), and undergraduate compared with postgraduate students (OR = 3.50, 95% CI 1.83, 6.69). Commencing university and moving away from parents may be key times for intervention. Strategies that can provide longstanding benefit are needed to address the high level of food insecurity among university students.

Suggested Citation

  • Megan C. Whatnall & Melinda J. Hutchesson & Amanda J. Patterson, 2019. "Predictors of Food Insecurity among Australian University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:60-:d:300031
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/1/60/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/1/60/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Fiona H. McKay & Bronte C. Haines & Matthew Dunn, 2019. "Measuring and Understanding Food Insecurity in Australia: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-27, February.
    2. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Gregory, Christian A. & Singh, Anita, 2018. "Statistical Supplement to Household Food Security in the United States in 2017," Administrative Publications 292096, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    3. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Gregory, Christian A. & Singh, Anita, 2018. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2017," Economic Research Report 291966, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Seema Mihrshahi & Putu Novi Arfirsta Dharmayani & Janaki Amin & Alexandra Bhatti & Josephine Y. Chau & Rimante Ronto & Diana Turnip & Melanie Taylor, 2022. "Higher Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Psychological Distress among International University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Australian Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Drew L. Harris & Teresa M. Twomey, 2019. "Economic Democracy: The Role of Privilege in Advancing Civilization," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 78(5), pages 1229-1249, November.
    2. Elina T Page & Elizabeth Larimore & John A Kirlin & Mark Denbaly, 2019. "The National Household Food Acquisition and Purchase Survey: Innovations and Research Insights," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 41(2), pages 215-234, June.
    3. Lisa Meierotto & Teresa Mares & Seth M. Holmes, 2020. "Introduction to the symposium: Bienestar—the well-being of Latinx farmworkers in a time of change," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 37(1), pages 187-196, March.
    4. Robinson, Courtney N. & Baker, Gregory A. & Harwood, Michael J. & Diekmann, Lucy O., 2020. "Food expenditures and consumption by food bank clients in Silicon Valley," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 23(4), June.
    5. Rachel M. Scrivano & Jill J. Juris & Shannon E. Jarrott & Jennifer M. Lobb, 2022. "Extending the Together, We Inspire Smart Eating Curriculum to Intergenerational Nutrition Education: A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, July.
    6. Kathryn M. Janda & Nalini Ranjit & Deborah Salvo & Deanna M. Hoelscher & Aida Nielsen & Joy Casnovsky & Alexandra van den Berg, 2022. "Examining Geographic Food Access, Food Insecurity, and Urbanicity among Diverse, Low-Income Participants in Austin, Texas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, April.
    7. Heflin, Colleen & Kukla-Acevedo, Sharon & Darolia, Rajeev, 2019. "Adolescent food insecurity and risky behaviors and mental health during the transition to adulthood," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 1-1.
    8. Nor Syaza Sofiah Ahmad & Norhasmah Sulaiman & Mohamad Fazli Sabri, 2021. "Food Insecurity: Is It a Threat to University Students’ Well-Being and Success?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    9. Elizabeth C. Gearan & Kelley Monzella & Leah Jennings & Mary Kay Fox, "undated". "Differences in Diet Quality between School Lunch Participants and Nonparticipants in the United States by Income and Race," Mathematica Policy Research Reports 804e2d61138241eba62359e6f, Mathematica Policy Research.
    10. Suttles, Shellye A. & Babb, Angela & Knudsen, Daniel, 2022. "Submitted and Denied: Understanding Variation in Case Status Across Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Applications," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322195, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    11. Suttles, Shellye & Babb, Angela & Knudsen, Daniel C., 2024. "Submitted and Denied: Understanding variation in case status across Supplemental Nutrition assistance program (SNAP) applications," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    12. Shelly M. Palmer & Simon T. Knoblauch & Donna M. Winham & Molly B. Hiller & Mack C. Shelley, 2020. "Putting Knowledge into Practice: Low-Income Women Talk about Food Choice Decisions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-16, July.
    13. Karnik, Harshada & Peterson, Hikaru Hanawa, 2023. "Food security among low-income immigrant households and the role of social capital: A case study of Somali-American households in the Midwestern United States," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    14. Himmelgreen, David & Romero-Daza, Nancy & Heuer, Jacquelyn & Lucas, William & Salinas-Miranda, Abraham A. & Stoddard, Theresa, 2022. "Using syndemic theory to understand food insecurity and diet-related chronic diseases," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    15. Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Smith, Michael D., 2021. "Food Insecurity Among Working-Age Veterans," USDA Miscellaneous 311332, United States Department of Agriculture.
    16. Anita Rizvi & Madeleine Kearns & Michael Dignam & Alison Coates & Melissa K. Sharp & Olivia Magwood & Patrick R. Labelle & Nour Elmestekawy & Sydney Rossiter & Ali A. A. Al‐Zubaidi & Omar Dewidar & Le, 2024. "Effects of guaranteed basic income interventions on poverty‐related outcomes in high‐income countries: A systematic review and meta‐analysis," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 20(2), June.
    17. Kevin M. Fitzpatrick & Don E. Willis, 2021. "Homeless and hungry: food insecurity in the land of plenty," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 13(1), pages 3-12, February.
    18. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P & Gregory, Christian A & Singh, Anita, 2021. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2020," Economic Research Report 327186, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
    19. Rachel S. Bergmans & Briana Mezuk & Kara Zivin, 2019. "Food Insecurity and Geriatric Hospitalization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-10, June.
    20. Seung Jin Cho, 2022. "The effect of aging out of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program on food insecurity," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(4), pages 664-685, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:60-:d:300031. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.