Food insecurity among female collegiate athletes exists despite university assistance

Abstract

Objective

To determine the prevalence and characteristics of food insecurity among female collegiate athletes.

Participants

NCAA Division I female athletes attending a public university located in East Texas in 2018.

Methods

A prospective cross-sectional online survey was employed to gather quantitative and qualitative data regarding food security status. Participants were instructed to complete the 26-item questionnaire, including the six-item USFSSM.

Results

Participants (N = 78) were 18–22 years of age, largely white (75%). Despite most (89.74%) receiving some form of scholarship and 80% reporting provision of some meals, 32.10% were classified as food insecure. Barriers to food intake were two-fold higher among the food insecure (88% vs 43%, p < .001); limited time (43.6%) and finances (23.1%) were the most frequently reported barriers.

Conclusions

Despite university support, food insecurity exists in female collegiate athletes. Outcomes warrant screening for food insecurity, referral to support resources throughout matriculation, and tailored intervention programs.

Keywords:

• Administration
• athletics
• community health
• gender
• health education
• nutrition

Disclosure statement

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 Sam Houston University.

Additional information

Funding

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