The Factors Causing High Food Insecurity Rates in U.S. Undergraduate Students

Authors

Natalie S. Byrd, St. John Fisher UniversityFollow

Author Image

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-StecEbYWG55D8f4UfOoHBgsXf9-tlS1/view?usp=sharing

Keywords

Food-Insecurity, university, college, students, food, equity, cost, accessibility, demographic

Abstract

The cliché of a college student surviving off ramen noodles sheds light on a deeper issue — high rates of food insecurity among undergraduate college/university students in the United States. There have been countless studies in recent years exploring the hidden causes of why an estimated 40% of students experience food insecurity as of 2022. These studies conclude three main reoccurring factors causing these high rates: costs, accessibility, and demographic characteristics. Food insecurity rates are important for higher education officials to address due to the countless physical and mental health, academic, and equity implications for the students.

Recommended Citation

Byrd, Natalie S. (2024) "The Factors Causing High Food Insecurity Rates in U.S. Undergraduate Students," Soaring: A Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2024, Article 2.
Available at: https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/soaring/vol2024/iss1/2