Obstacles to food security, food pantry use, and educational success among university students: a mixed methods approach

Abstract

Purpose. This study contrasts views of university students with very low or high food security scores with respect to: obstacles to healthy eating, food pantry use, and managing dietary and educational needs. Method. Comments on open-ended survey questions (n = 1374) were counted, compared, and thematically analyzed to discern differences between the two student groups. Results. Cost concerns were paramount among students with very low food security scores. Students with very low food security experienced significant challenges in reconciling dietary needs and long-term educational goals; this was not problematic among students with high food security. Students from both very low and high food security groups mostly expressed an openness to the campus food pantry, though stigma associated with its use remained a deterrent. Conclusion. While all students face similar challenges to healthy eating, food security status substantially shapes dietary health and the management of dietary and educational needs.

Keywords:

• college students
• food security
• food pantry
• stigma
• qualitative research

Acknowledgments

The study was supported through internal funds provided by Rowan University and the Department of Health and Exercise Science. The authors wish to thank June Ragone in the Office of Information Technology, and Rbrey Singleton from Student Government for supporting the promotion and delivery of this survey. Kevin Rescigno, a Nutrition and Dietetics student, supported various aspects of the project.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of the United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Rowan University.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.