Date of Award

May 2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nutrition & Dietetics

First Advisor

Nathaniel Johnson

Abstract

Food insecurity (FI) is a public health concern, and college students are especially vulnerable to FI. FI has been correlated with poor academic performance, poor health behaviors, and negative physical/mental health outcomes in college students. This thesis investigates which students are most affected by FI at a major mid-western university, identifies major barriers to food security (FS) among students at the university, and describes how these barriers differ by living location. A cross-sectional survey of students (n=905) enrolled in ≥1 credits in Spring of 2025 was conducted. Unadjusted ORs and multinomial binary logistic regression were used to determine the groups most affected by FI. A multinomial linear regression ran backwards was used to investigate the relationship between cooking confidence and FI. Unadjusted proportions were used to describe barriers to FS and investigate differences in barriers by living location. Students receiving ≥$2,000 annually in familial financial aid (OR: 0.44), having a GPA of ≥3.00 (OR: 0.34), or identifying as Non-Hispanic White (OR: 0.61) were at decreased odds of experiencing FI. Students receiving Pell Grants (OR: 1.86), living alone (OR: 1.92), or identifying as LGTBQ+ (OR: 1.73) were at increased odds of experiencing FI. Self-reported confidence in cooking skills was not correlated with FI. Lack of money was the most frequently reported barrier by FI students. Lack of cooking appliances and lack of transportation were more frequently reported as barriers to FS by FI students living on campus than those living elsewhere.

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