Food insecurity prevalence among college students at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

Abstract Objectives To assess the prevalence and identify possible predictors of food insecurity among college students at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Design Cross-sectional survey, including the US Department of Agriculture’s Household Food Security Survey Module, demographic and spending variables. Setting University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawai’i (USA). Subjects Four hundred and forty-one non-freshmen students from thirty-one randomly selected classes. Results Twenty-one per cent of students surveyed were food-insecure, while 24 % were at risk of food insecurity. Students at higher risk of food insecurity included those who reported living on campus and those living off-campus with room mates. Those identifying themselves as Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, Filipinos and mixed were also at increased risk of food insecurity. Conclusions Food insecurity is a significant problem among college students at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. Food availability and accessibility should be increased for these students through the establishment of on-campus food banks and student gardens. Future studies should assess the prevalence of food insecurity in other college campuses nationwide.