Food Security Status Among Undergraduates in Appalachia: Associations with Race, Gender, SNAP Participation, and Meal Plans
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background/Objectives: College students in the United States experience increased food insecurity burden compared to the general population. There is a consensus that students of Color, Pell grant recipients, first generation students, LGBTQ+ students, and students who identified as being food insecure during childhood have a higher risk for food in-security. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the prevalence of food inse-curity among a sample of undergraduate students at a rural, regional university in Appalachia and (2) investigate the relationship between race, gender, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program use, and meal plan subscription status and food insecurity status. Methods: Researchers dispersed a survey with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 6-item Food Security Survey Module and demographic character-istics to all undergraduate students at a mid-size, regional university in Appalachia. Results: Nearly 50% of this study sample (N = 1269) met criteria for food insecurity in which 17% of the sample was very food insecure. Students who identified as non-binary gender (p < 0.05), Black or two or more races (p < 0.001), or a previous user of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (p < 0.01) had higher rates of food insecurity compared to their counterparts. There was not a significant difference in food security status between students on a meal plan and not on a meal plan. However, some groups demonstrated higher rates of food insecurity while on a meal plan subscription. Conclusions: This study highlights elevated rates of food insecurity at a university in which the primary service region is rural, Appalachian counties and can indicate need for resources and funding to address concerns of food insecurity.
Source: Preprints.org
Authors: Abbigail Pace, Amanda Green, Lisa Kay
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7204203897