TABLE 2.
Basic characteristics of the studies examining US college student food insecurity1
| Authors (Ref) and reference types | Study design (sampling strategy) | Study population | Sample size (response rate, %) | Demographics | University setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khachadourian (45), thesis | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Re-entry (>25 y ) female students | 49 (49) | Sex: 100% femaleAge: 49% 36–45 yRace/ethnicity: 41% white, 32% Income: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | California State University, Fresno |
| Chaparro et al. (46), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (random, stratified by classes) | Nonfreshmen undergraduate and graduate students | 410 (33, instructors; 99, students) | Sex: 56% femaleAge: 26 y (mean)Race/ethnicity: 26% white, 43% AsianIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: 69% born in the United States | University of Hawai'i at Mānoa |
| Freudenberg et al. (47), report | Cross-sectional (stratified representative sample) | Undergraduate students | 2200 (16) | Sex: 59% femaleAge: 66% 18–24 yRace/ethnicity: 20% white, 30% Hispanic Income: 54% received ≤$49,999/yEmployment: NR‡Fin. aid: NR‡Nationality: 58% born in the United States | 17 community college and 4-y universities (City University of New York) |
| Magoc (48), thesis | Cross-sectional (census) | College students | 708 (NR) | Sex: 78% femaleAge: 23.8 ± 7.9 y (mean ± SD) Race/ethnicity: 87% whiteIncome: NR Employment: 57% employedFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | Eastern Illinois University |
| Gonzales (49), thesis | Cross-sectional (random course selection) | Undergraduate students | 62 (NC‡) | Sex: NRAge: ranged from 19 to ≥25 y‡Race/ethnicity: NRIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | University of Northern Colorado |
| Gaines et al. (20; 35), conference abstract; peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (convenience and stratified random) | Nonfreshmen undergraduate students, 19–25 y old | 557 (87 within classrooms) | Sex: 76% femaleAge: ranged from 19–25 y‡Race/ethnicity: 82% whiteIncome: 72% received ≤$20,000/y Employment: NR‡Fin. aid: 44% received aidNationality: NC‡ | University of Alabama |
| Gorman (50), thesis | Cross-sectional (convenience) | College students, 18–26 y old without spouses or children | 298 (NR) | Sex: NRAge: 18–26 y NRRace/ethnicity: NRIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | Kent State University |
| Hanna (51), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (convenience) | College students | 67 (NC‡) | Sex: 61% femaleAge: 77% 18–24 yRace/ethnicity: 34% white, 30% Asian/Pacific Islander Income: 77% received <$1000/moEmployment: 63% employed‡Fin. aid: 55% received <$100 aid/mo‡Nationality: NC‡ | California State University—Sacramento (assumed) |
| Koller (52), thesis | Cross-sectional (random course selection) | College students, excluding those in study abroad experiences | 53 (11) | Sex: 72% femaleAge: 92% 18–22 yRace/ethnicity: 77% whiteIncome: 48% received <$10,000/yEmployment: 34% employed at least part-timeFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | Bowling Green State University |
| Patton-López et al. (53), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (census) | College students | 354 (7) | Sex: 73% femaleAge: 72% 18–24 y Race/ethnicity: 8% LatinoIncome: 79% received <$15,000/yEmployment: 50% employedFin. aid: 76% received aidNationality: NR | Western Oregon University (assumed) |
| Davidson and Morrell (54), conference abstract | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Undergraduate students enrolled in a nutrition course, 18–24 y old | 211 (51) | Sex: 84% female Age: 18–24 y NRRace/ethnicity: 89% white‡Income: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: 67% received aid‡ Nationality: NR | University of New Hampshire |
| Fossman and King (38); Lindsley and King (23), report; conference abstract | Longitudinal (census) | College students living on a university campus | 65 (8) | Sex: 55% femaleAge: 21.6 ± 4.6 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 83% white‡Income: NC‡Employment: NR‡Fin. aid: NC‡Nationality: NC‡ | University of Alaska, Anchorage‡ |
| Maroto et al. (36); Maroto and Linck (21), peer-reviewed article; dissertation | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Community college students (urban and suburban) | 301 (62) | Sex: 55% femaleAge: 23 y (mean)Race/ethnicity: 71% African AmericanIncome: 72% received ≤$750/moEmployment: NCFin. aid: NCNationality: NC | NR, 2 Maryland community colleges |
| Shelnutt (55), conference abstract | Cross-sectional (census) | Undergraduate and graduate students | 1891 (NR) | Sex: NRAge: NRRace/ethnicity: NRIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | University of Florida (assumed) |
| Silva et al. (56), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (random, stratified by classes) | Undergraduate and graduate students | 390 (2) | Sex: 60% femaleAge: 56% 18–22 yRace/ethnicity: 43% white, 26% Asian Income: NREmployment: 73% employed‡Fin. aid: 62% received aid‡Nationality: NR | University of Massachusetts—Boston |
| Bianco et al. (57), report | Cross-sectional (random) | College students | 707 (13) | Sex: NRAge: NRRace/ethnicity: 55% whiteIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | California State University, Chico |
| Bruening et al. (58), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Freshman college students | 209 (42) | Sex: 62% femaleAge: 18.8 ± 0.5 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 46% white, 27% HispanicIncome: NC‡Employment: 71% unemployed‡Fin. aid: 73% received Pell Grants Nationality: 6% international students‡ | Arizona State University (assumed) |
| Calvez et al. (59), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Undergraduate students | 205‡ (1‡) | Sex: 62% femaleAge: NR‡Race/ethnicity: NC‡Income: NC‡Employment: NC‡Fin. aid: NC‡Nationality: NC‡ | Texas A&M University |
| Dubick et al. (60), report | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Undergraduate students | 3765 (NC‡) | Sex: 57% femaleAge: 69% 18–21 yRace/ethnicity: 40% white, 19% Asian Income: 55% received ≤$49,999/yEmployment: NR‡Fin. aid: 43% Pell Grant eligibleNationality: 87% US citizen | 34 institutions; 8 community colleges and 26 4-y universities in 12 states |
| MacDonald (61), thesis | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Fulbright College of Arts/Sciences students living on a university campus | 467 (7) | Sex: 71% femaleAge: 23.2 ± 7.7 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 79% white Income: NC‡Employment: 58% employed at least part-timeFin. aid: NC‡Nationality: NC‡ | University of Arkansas |
| Maguire et al. (62), report | Cross-sectional (census) | Undergraduate and graduate students | 1554 (18‡) | Sex: 67% female‡Age: 24 ± 7 y‡ (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 61% white‡Income: NRFin. aid: NREmployment: NRNationality: NR | Humboldt State University |
| Mirabitur et al. (63), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (random) | Undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree-seeking students | 514 (7) | Sex: 53% female (weighted)Age: NR Race/ethnicity: 75% white (weighted)Income: NREmployment: NR Fin. aid: NRNationality: NR | University of Michigan (assumed) |
| Morris et al. (37); Morris (22), peer-reviewed article; thesis | Cross-sectional (census) | Undergraduate students | 1882 (4) | Sex: 67% femaleAge: NRRace/ethnicity: 77% whiteIncome: NREmployment: 64% employed at least part-timeFin. aid: 64% and 70% received aid that did or did not require repayment, respectivelyNationality: NR | Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois, Southern Illinois, and Western Illinois Universities |
| Twill et al. (64), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (convenience) | College students | Nearly 150 (NC‡) | Sex: NC‡Age: NC‡Race/ethnicity: NC‡Income: NC‡Employment: NC‡Fin. aid: NC‡Nationality: NC‡ | Wright State University |
| Wood et al. (65), report | Cross-sectional (NR) | Community college students | 3647 (NR) | Sex: NRAge: NRRace/ethnicity: 31% white, 38% LatinoIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | California community colleges (n and names: NR) |
| Adamovic (66), thesis | Cross-sectional (convenience) | College students | 339 (1) | Sex: 77% femaleAge: NC‡Race/ethnicity: 55% whiteIncome: NC‡ Employment: 70% employed at least part-timeFin. aid: 56% and 44% received aid that did not and did require repayment, respectivelyNationality: NC‡ | University of Colorado—Boulder |
| Blagg et al. (19)—2-y students, report | Cross-sectional (stratified representative sample) | Households with student enrolled at undergraduate level | 3345 (76–88 month-over-month‡) | Sex: 54% female Age: 68% 18–25 y Race/ethnicity: 51% whiteIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | No specific universities under study |
| Blagg et al. (19)—4-y students, report | Cross-sectional (stratified representative sample) | Households with student enrolled at undergraduate level | 7035 (76–88 month-over-month‡) | Sex: 54% female Age: 77% 18–25 y Race/ethnicity: 61% white Income: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | No specific universities under study |
| Ellis et al. (67), conference abstract | Cross-sectional (convenience‡) | Undergraduate students | 344 (NC‡) | Sex: 87% femaleAge: 19 y (mean)Race/ethnicity: 80% white‡Income: NC‡Employment: NC‡Fin. aid: NC‡Nationality: NC‡ | University of Alabama |
| Hillmer et al. (68), conference abstract | Cross-sectional (random course selection) | Undergraduate students | 197 (NR) | Sex: NRAge: NRRace/ethnicity: NRIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | Southeast Missouri State University (assumed) |
| Holland et al. (69), conference abstract | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Undergraduate and graduate students | 629 (10‡) | Sex: 73% femaleAge: 21.2 ± 4.4 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: NRIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | Winthrop University‡ |
| Kashuba (70), thesis | Cross-sectional (convenience) | College students | 1236 (≥7) | Sex: 73% femaleAge: NRRace/ethnicity: 70% whiteIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | University of Oregon |
| King (71), dissertation | Cross-sectional (census) | College students, excluding those in online-only program | 4188 (14) | Sex: 73% femaleAge: 84% 18–24 yRace/ethnicity: 79% whiteIncome: NREmployment: 62% employed at least part-timeFin. aid: 66% received aidNationality: 6% international students | Kent State University |
| Knol et al. (72), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (census) | College students ≥19 y old and living off-campus. Excluded if pregnant, ate at Greek fraternity/sorority houses, living with parents, married, or followed a restricted diet | 351 (∼3) | Sex: 72% femaleAge: 100% ≥19 y‡Race/ethnicity: 85% white Income: NR Employment: 47% employedFin. aid: 62% owed $0–999 in aidNationality: NC‡ | University of Alabama |
| Martinez (25); Martinez et al. (24; 39), report; conference abstract; peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (random) | Undergraduate and graduate students | 8705 (13) | Sex: 67% femaleAge: 23 ± 6 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 34% white, 31% Asian Income: NC‡Employment: NC‡Fin. aid: 65% received aidNationality: 9% international students | 10 University of California campuses |
| McArthur et al. (40); Danek (28), peer-reviewed article; thesis | Cross-sectional (random) | Nonfreshmen undergraduate and graduate students | 1093 (18) | Sex: 68% femaleAge: 21.7 ± 3.8 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 92% white Income: 77 received <$500/moEmployed: 63% employed at least part-time Financial aid: 64% received aidNationality: <1% international students | Appalachian State University‡ |
| Mercado (73), dissertation | Cross-sectional (census) | Community college students | 693 (3) | Sex: 70% femaleAge: 29.5 ± 11.1 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 29% white, 22% Hispanic Income: 55% received ≤$25,000/yEmployment: 61% employedFin. aid: 45% received aid Nationality: 14% non-US citizen or resident | Peralta Community College District (4 colleges) |
| Miles et al. (74), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (census) | Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in the School of Social Work | 496 (55) | Sex: 86% femaleAge: 47% 25–34 yRace/ethnicity: 20% person of color; 12% HispanicIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | Portland State University (assumed) |
| Poll et al. (75), conference abstract | Cross-sectional (NR) | NCAA Division 1 male college athletes | 93 (NR) | Sex: 100% maleAge: 19.7 ± 1.4 y (mean ± SD)Race: 48% white, 41% blackIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | University of Mississippi (assumed) |
| Wall-Bassett et al. (76), conference abstract | Cross-sectional (NR) | College students | 381 (94) | Sex: NRAge: NRRace/ethnicity: NRIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | Western Carolina University (assumed) |
| West (77), thesis | Cross-sectional (NR) | Latinx undergraduate students in an academic department with 97% Latinx enrollment | 50 (25) | Sex: 82% femaleAge: 18–27 y (range)Race/ethnicity: 100% LatinxIncome: NREmployment: 78% employedFin. aid: 50% received work-study Nationality: NR | University of California—Davis |
| Broton and Goldrick-Rab—Study 1 (18); Goldrick-Rab et al. (32), peer-reviewed article; report | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Community college undergraduate students | 26,131 (4) | Sex: 72% femaleAge: 27.7 y (mean)Race/ethnicity: 44% white, 24% Hispanic Income: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: NRNationality: NR | 73 community colleges in 24 states |
| Broton and Goldrick-Rab—Study 2 (18); Goldrick-Rab et al. (29), peer-reviewed article; report | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Community college undergraduate students | 4185 (9) | Sex: 55% femaleAge: 29.8 y (mean)Race/ethnicity: 55% whiteIncome: 44% received <$50,000/yEmployment: 62% employed in last weekFin. aid: 67% received aidNationality: 95% US citizen | 10 community colleges in 7 states |
| Broton and Goldrick-Rab—Study 3 (18); Wisconsin HOPE Lab (34), peer-reviewed article; report | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Freshman and sophomore students. To be eligible, had an EFC ≤200% of the Pell Grant eligibility, had unmet financial need, and had an interest in a STEM field, would require remediation in math | 1007 (64) | Sex: 50% femaleAge: 19.4 y (mean)Race/ethnicity: 79% whiteIncome: 43% earned <$50,000/yEmployment: NRFin. aid: 100% received aidNationality: NR | 10 public and private 2- and 4-y colleges in Wisconsin |
| Broton and Goldrick-Rab—Study 4 (18); Broton et al. (26); Goldrick-Rab (27), peer-reviewed article; report; book | Cross-sectional, part of larger longitudinal study (stratified representative sample) | Undergraduate students who were Wisconsin residents, within 3 y of completing high school, qualified for a Pell Grant, and had unmet financial need of ≥$1 | 1442 (77) | Sex: 60% femaleAge: 18.4 y (mean)Race/ethnicity: 71% whiteIncome: 88% received <$50,000/yEmployment: NR Fin. aid: 100% received aidNationality: NR | 42 public 2- and 4-y Wisconsin colleges and universities |
| Bruening et al. (78), peer-reviewed article | Longitudinal (convenience) | Freshman undergraduate students living in residence halls | 1138 (NR) | Sex: 65% femaleAge: NR Race/ethnicity: 51% whiteIncome: NREmployment: NRFin. aid: 33% received Pell GrantsNationality: NR | Arizona State University (assumed) |
| Crutchfield and Maguire (79), report | Cross-sectional (census) | College students | 24,324 (6) | Sex: 72% femaleAge: 23.6 y (mean)Race/ethnicity: 40% white, 23% AsianIncome: NR Employment: NCFin. aid: NCNationality: NC | 23 California State University campuses |
| Hagedorn and Olfert (41); Hagedorn et al. (33), peer-reviewed article; conference abstract | Cross-sectional (census of all courses) | Undergraduate and graduate students | 692 (2) | Sex: 71% femaleAge: 21.3 ± 4 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 87% whiteIncome: NR‡Employment: 54% employedFin. aid: 80% received aidNationality: 5% international students‡ | West Virginia University |
| McArthur et al. (80), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (random) | Freshmen undergraduate students | 456 (23) | Sex: 73% female Age: 18.5 ± 1.0 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 83% white Income: 97% received <$500/moEmployed: 21% employedFin. aid: 68% received aidNationality: NR‡ | Appalachian State University‡ |
| Payne-Sturges et al. (81), peer-reviewed article | Cross-sectional (convenience) | Undergraduate students | 237 (62) | Sex: 81% female Age: 20.7 ± 4.5 y (mean ± SD)Race/ethnicity: 49% white, 22% Asian/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Income: 58% received ≥$70,000/yEmployment: 61% employedFin. aid: 64% received aidNationality: 20% born outside of the United States‡ | University of Maryland (assumed) |
| El Zein et al.‡ (42); El Zein et al. (31); Laitner et al. (30), article in preparation; conference abstract; conference abstract | Cross-sectional (convenience‡) | Freshmen undergraduate students, consuming <2 cups (472 mL) of fruits or <3 cups (708 mL) of vegetables daily, and meeting 1 of the following criteria: BMI ≥25 kg/m2, first-generation college student, parent that is overweight or obese, low-income background, or identify as a racial minority | 859 (NC‡) | Sex: 67% femaleAge: 62% 19 yRace/ethnicity: 62% white Income: NREmployment: 43% employed at least part-timeFin. aid: 40% received Pell GrantsNationality: NR | Auburn University, University of Florida, Syracuse University, University of Tennessee, University of Maine, South Dakota State University, West Virginia University, and Kansas State University |
1Sixty-six study citations are included from 62 independent records (i.e., publications) reporting on 51 distinct study samples. Study samples were identified by separating out records that included >1 study or sample as well as condensing multiple records reporting on the same study. ‡Information provided by authors. EFC, expected family contribution; Fin. aid, financial aid; NC, not collected; NCAA, National Collegiate Athletic Association; NR, not reported; STEM, science, technology, engineering, and math.