(P02-004-25) Associations Between Nutrition Security and Food Insecurity Among Incoming First-Year College Students

Objectives: Food insecurity (FI) is the inconsistent availability, access, and affordability of sufficient and safe food, while nutrition insecurity (NI) also considers diet quality and nutritional value. Both FI and NI are critical issues among college students, potentially impacting academic performance, mental health, and physical well-being. College students report FI at rates 3-5 times higher than the national average (14-59%), with first-year students being particularly vulnerable. However, little is known about FI the summer before beginning college, and, to-date, NI remains unexplored in this population. This study assessed the prevalence of NI and associations between FI and NI among incoming, first-year students at a large public university.

Methods: All incoming first-year students were invited to complete an online survey the summer before their first semester. A total of 4,814 students participated (49.8% female; 31.3% nonwhite; 26% Pell grant recipients). FI over the past 30 days was measured using the 10-item Adult Food Security Survey Module. NI was assessed using the 4-item Center for Nutrition and Health Equity measure. Pearson’s correlation examined the relationship between FI and NI. Linear regression assessed the association between FI and NI, adjusting for sex, race/ethnicity, parental education, and Pell grant status.

Results: Among participants, the prevalence of NI was 3.3% and FI was 5.6%. Bivariate analysis indicated a significant, moderate positive association between NI and FI (r=0.57; p< 0.001). Linear regression also indicated that FI was significantly associated with NI scores, even after adjusting for related variables (β= 0.55, p< .001). Weak but statistically significant associations were observed between NI scores and sex (β= 0.04, p< 0.001), Pell grant status (β= -0.07, p< 0.001), parental education (β= 0.06, p< 0.001), and race/ethnicity (β= -0.05, p< 0.001).

Conclusions: FI among incoming first-year students is strongly associated with NI scores.  Future research is needed to understand changes in FI and NI throughout students’ college years and how this might be related to other outcomes (e.g., academic performance, mental health).

Funding Sources: Internally funded by discretionary funds.