Thirteenth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

The term “food insecurity” began to gain prominence in academic and policy discussions in the late 20th century, particularly in the United States. It was used to describe a condition where individuals or households lacked consistent access to enough food for an active, healthy life. Since then, the term “food insecurity” has gained widespread use not only in the United States but also in international contexts when discussing issues related to hunger and nutrition. It has become a key concept in the fields of public health, nutrition, and food policy, and only as of recent years in the context of college students and their ability to succeed academically. In our research, we argue that food insecurity is an intersectional problem rooted in existing societal challenges for college students such as facing poverty, belonging to a marginalized background, being a first-generation student, and other compounding factors that further exacerbate food insecurity. We find that, in turn, facing food insecurity during the pivotal years of college is a modifiable risk factor and a key predictor of food security over the life course. In this short presentation, we hope to explore the complex relationship between food insecurity and the unique societal challenges today’s college students face and demonstrate what can be done to help mitigate the problem of food insecurity on college campuses and the effects it has on student success and retention.