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Food Insecurity Levels among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Bebiana Marques

    (Departamento de Biologia e Ambiente, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • Jorge Azevedo

    (Departamento de Zootecnia, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
    CECAV—Animal and Veterinary Research Center, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
    AL4AnimalS – Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • Isilda Rodrigues

    (Departamento de Educação e Psicologia, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
    CIIE—Centro de Investigação e Intervenção Educativas, Universidade do Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal)

  • Conceição Rainho

    (Escola Superior de Enfermagem de Vila Real, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
    CIDESD—Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano UTAD, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • Carla Gonçalves

    (Departamento de Biologia e Ambiente, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
    CITAB—Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
    Inov4Agro—Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-Food Production, Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
    EPIUnit—Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, n° 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Background: University students may be vulnerable to food insecurity (FI) due to limited financial resources, lower purchasing power, and increasing housing and food costs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of FI and its associated factors among university students attending a public Portuguese university. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was designed, and data were collected using a self-reported online questionnaire validated for the Portuguese population. The study population included students from all levels of study and the assessments were conducted during the winter semester (December 2021 to February 2022). Chi-square tests were used to determine the associations between FI and sociodemographic variables. Bivariate logistic regression was further used to assess factors associated with FI. Results: From the 284 participants, 17.3% of students were classified as food insecure, consisting of 14.1% with mild FI, 2.1% with moderate FI, and 1.1% with severe FI. FI was significantly associated with nationality ( p = 0.028) and the number of unemployed household members ( p = 0.001). In comparison to Portuguese students, students of other nationalities were 4.1 times more likely to be food insecure (OR = 4.089, 95% CI:1.057–15.821, p = 0.041). Students in households with a higher number of members (OR = 2.537, 95% CI:1.231–5.230, p = 0.012) and a higher number of unemployed members (OR = 3.192, 95% CI:1.681–6.059, p < 0.001) were also 2.5 and 3.1 times more likely, respectively, to be food insecure. Conclusions: This study provides an insight into the FI levels of university students in a Portuguese university. Further future studies are needed to use objective measures of food insecurity (availability, access, and utilization of food) and explore interventions addressing food insecurity in this population.

Suggested Citation

  • Bebiana Marques & Jorge Azevedo & Isilda Rodrigues & Conceição Rainho & Carla Gonçalves, 2022. "Food Insecurity Levels among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," Societies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-11, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsoctx:v:12:y:2022:i:6:p:174-:d:985258
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Burke, Mary A. & Carman, Katherine G., 2017. "You can be too thin (but not too tall): Social desirability bias in self-reports of weight and height," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 27(PA), pages 198-222.
    2. Coleman-Jensen, Alisha & McFall, William & Nord, Mark, "undated". "Food Insecurity in Households With Children: Prevalence, Severity, and Household Characteristics, 2010-11," Economic Information Bulletin 262126, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rawan K. Kahtan & Mahitab A. Hanbazaza, 2024. "Despite Food Insecurity, University Students Remain Committed to Achieving Their Academic Goals: Cross-Sectional Single-Center Study in Saudi Arabia," Societies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-12, July.
    2. Hyo Sun Jung & Yu Hyun Hwang & Hye Hyun Yoon, 2025. "Is the Impact of Food Insecurity on Food-Related Behavior Moderated by Generation in South Korea?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(5), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Sarah McManus & Donna Pendergast & Harry Kanasa, 2025. "The Intersection Between Food Literacy and Sustainability: A Systematic Quantitative Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-32, January.

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