Food insecurity in baccalaureate nursing students: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Food insecurity, the limited or uncertain availability of food, is reported in college students, but little is known about its prevalence in nursing students. Nursing students have extensive required clinical hours limiting their ability to work and spend money on academic and living expenses before spending on food. Purpose: To estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and characterize its relationship to social support and firstgeneration status among nursing students at a public university. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study design was used to assess food security and social support in full-time nursing students (n=55). Results: The prevalence of food insecurity reported by the survey respondents was 60%. Statistically significant correlations between food security and social support scores were found; as food security worsened, so did social support. Food-insecure students had lower grade point averages, and first-generation students (p=.001) reported food insecurity more frequently than did other participants. Conclusions: Findings support that food insecurity is negatively associated with academic performance, and level of social support may impact food insecurity in nursing students. Nursing programs should consider early assessments of cohorts to increase the potential for early intervention with food-insecure students. Collaboration with university-based food pantries and student engagement in hunger initiatives through the Student Nurses Association can support early interventions.

Automated summary

The study found that 60% of nursing students experienced food insecurity, which was significantly correlated with social support. Food-insecure students had lower GPAs.