Food insecurity in New York City college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal analysis of predictors, correlates, and trajectories
AI Summary
Food insecurity varied quarterly (T1 21%, T2 25%, T3 17%, T4 19%), showing fluctuating prevalence among undergraduates.
Predictors included preexisting food insecurity, need-based aid, low social support, substance use, violence, TGNC identity, unsafe home, and COVID-19 care-seeking.
Trajectories: Never 69%, Rarely 12%, Frequently 14%, Persistently 5%; persistent FI linked to high psychological distress and multiple socio-behavioural vulnerabilities.
J Am Coll Health. 2026 May 31:1-12. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2026.2674845. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To examine predictors, correlates, and trajectories of food insecurity (FI) among students during COVID-19.
PARTICIPANTS: Undergraduates.
METHODS: Between 2020-2021, students completed quarterly (T1-T4) self-administered questionnaires. FI comprised food not lasting or not affording balanced meals. Trajectories were created using cumulative FI reports.
RESULTS: Across time, FI varied (T1 = 21%, T2 = 25%, T3 = 17%, T4 = 19%). FI predictors included preexisting FI, need-based aid, low social support, alcohol use, COVID-19 care-seeking behaviors, violence experience, transgender/gender non-conforming [TGNC] identity, and unsafe home perceptions. FI trajectories spanned Never (69%), Rarely (12% FI once), Frequently (14% FI twice/thrice), and Persistently (5%). Along with low social support, Persistently FI students had high psychological distress, need-based aid, unsafe home perceptions, smoking/vaping, drug use, TGNC representation, violence experience, and COVID-19 care-seeking behaviors.
CONCLUSIONS: FI was associated with sociodemographic, residential, interpersonal, psychosocial, behavioral, and healthcare-related factors. In routine campus operations and emergency situations, universities must develop multi-component interventions to address multi-factorial stressors.
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