Title:

Campus Food Pantry Use May Improve Daily Frequency of Fruit and Vegetable Intake Among California University Students Experiencing Food Insecurity.

Authors:
Gwen Chodur; Sonali Singh; Erin E. Riordan; Sevan Kalaydjian; Suzanna M. Martinez
Contact Information:
Correspondence address, Suzanna M. Martinez, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco; 550 Mission Hall, 2nd Floor; San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. E-mail suzanna.martinez@ucsf.edu
Source:
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Vol. 124 (2), 2024. 225. 8p.
Peer Reviewed:
Yes
Date of Publication:
2024
ISSN:
2212-2672
Number of References:
58 ref.
Language:
Text: English
Article Type:
Journal Article
Abstract:
Background University students are at increased risk for both food insecurity and suboptimal fruit and vegetable (F/V) intake. Campus food pantries (CFP) have been a common intervention in response to student food insecurity, but there have been few evaluations of the effectiveness of this strategy on improving students' dietary intake. Objective To examine differences in the frequency of F/V intake by food security status, and whether the number of monthly CFP visits was associated with frequency of F/V intake among university students who were CFP clients. Design Cross-sectional Participants The study population included 1,188 university students across the 10-campus University of California system who had accessed their CFP or Basic Needs Center. Main measures United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 6-item short food security module, monthly CFP visits, and self-reported frequency of F/V intake (daily). Statistical analyses performed T-tests were performed to compare differences in mean daily frequency of F/V intake by food security status. Generalized linear models were used to examine associations between monthly CFP visits and mean daily frequency of F/V intake. Using a post hoc Wald test, an interaction term (monthly CFP visits × food security status) was included to the models to determine whether food security status modified associations. Results Students experiencing food insecurity consumed total F/V 0.48 fewer times per day compared with students who were food secure (2.64 ± 2.11 vs 3.12 ± 2.01; P <.001). Among students experiencing food insecurity, each monthly CFP visit was associated with higher daily frequencies of intake for total F/V (β = 0.06), whole fruit (β = 0.03), 100% fruit juice (β = 0.01), and leafy greens (β = 0.01); however, no associations were found among the food-secure group. Conclusions Findings suggest that CFPs may be supporting students in need of nutritional assistance increase their daily frequency of F/V intake. Future studies are needed to validate these findings to inform investment in campus food pantries and support university students in need of nutritional assistance. All rights reserved, Elsevier.
Keywords:
ADOLESCENCE
ADOLESCENTS
AGE GROUPS
AMERICA
BIOLOGICAL LIFE CYCLE
CATERING
CROPS
DIET
ECONOMICS
FOOD INSECURITY
FOOD POLICY
FOOD PRODUCTS
FOOD SECURITY
FOODS
FOODSTUFFS
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE JUICES
FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTS
FRUIT JUICES
FRUIT PRODUCTS
FRUITS
HUMAN LIFE CYCLE
HUMAN STUDIES
INTAKE
JUICES
KITCHENS
MODEL SIMULATION
MODELING
MODELLING
NORTH AMERICA
NUTRITION
PLANT BEVERAGES
PLANT FOODS
PLANT PRODUCTS
PLANT-BASED BEVERAGES
PLANTS
POPULATION GROUPS
SCIENCE
SOFT DRINKS
STUDY DESIGN
TEENAGERS
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
USA
VEGETABLES
Category Codes:
Section Code: Fruits, vegetables and nuts
Subsection Code: General aspects (fruits and vegetables)
Update Date:
12 Feb 2024
Accession Number:
2024-05-Ja7912
DOI:
10.1016/j.jand.2023.09.009
Database:
FSTA - Food Science and Technology Abstracts