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

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  • Nicole Reeder

    (Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA)

  • Pradtana Tapanee

    (Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA)

  • Anna Persell

    (Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA)

  • Terezie Tolar-Peterson

    (Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762, USA)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicole Reeder & Pradtana Tapanee & Anna Persell & Terezie Tolar-Peterson, 2020. "Food Insecurity, Depression, and Race: Correlations Observed Among College Students at a University in the Southeastern United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8268-:d:442119
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Vincent L. Mendy & Rodolfo Vargas & Gerri Cannon-Smith & Marinelle Payton & Byambaa Enkhmaa & Lei Zhang, 2018. "Food Insecurity and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Mississippi Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-8, September.
    2. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & Rabbitt, Matthew P. & Gregory, Christian A. & Singh, Anita, 2019. "Household Food Security in the United States in 2018," Economic Research Report 301167, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alice P. Villatoro & Vanessa L. Errisuriz & Melissa J. DuPont-Reyes, 2023. "Mental Health Needs and Services Utilization among Undergraduate and Graduate Students in Texas during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-19, June.
    2. Nor Syaza Sofiah Ahmad & Norhasmah Sulaiman & Mohamad Fazli Sabri, 2022. "Psychosocial Factors as Mediator to Food Security Status and Academic Performance among University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-14, May.
    3. 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.
    4. Dorceta E. Taylor & Katherine Allison & Tevin Hamilton & Ashley Bell, 2023. "Race, Socioeconomic Status, and Food Access in Two Predominantly White Cities: The Case of Lansing, East Lansing, and Surrounding Townships in Michigan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-49, October.

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