Theses and Dissertations

Issuing Body

Mississippi State University

Advisor

Tidwell, Diane K.

Committee Member

Fountain, Brent J.

Committee Member

Oliver, Brittney D.

Committee Member

Mosby, Terezie T.

Date of Degree

5-3-2019

Original embargo terms

Visible to MSU only for 3 years

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Open Access

Major

Nutrition

Degree Name

Master of Science

Degree Name

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

College

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion

Department

Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion

Abstract

Food insecurity plagues college students and is associated with negative health and academic outcomes. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of food insecurity, its determinants, and food intake outcomes associated with students found to have low food security. A cross-sectional study design of Mississippi university students completed online surveys that included socio-demographic, Adult Food Security questions, coping strategies, and money expenditures. Descriptive, correlation, and chi-square analyses determined how student characteristics were associated with food security. A total of 246 (41.3%) students were food insecure. Significant variables associated with food insecurity were African American or other minority, low GPA, use of public transportation, do not own a car, reported fair or poor perceived health status, higher money expenditure scores, and lower coping strategy scores. Additional research and institutional strategies are needed to close the gap of food insecurity among this population.

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11668/21215

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