Mental distress, food insecurity and university student dropout during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020: evidence from South Africa
Frontiers in Psychiatry,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
15
Published: Feb. 6, 2024
Background
Student
dropout
has
been
a
key
issue
facing
universities
for
many
years.
The
COVID-19
pandemic
was
expected
to
exacerbate
these
trends;
however,
international
literature
produced
conflicting
findings.
Limited
from
Africa
investigated
the
impact
of
on
student
trends,
despite
documented
devastation,
including
increased
risk
food
insecurity
and
mental
distress,
caused
by
pandemic.
Objective
This
work
seeks
understand
distress
during
Methods
Using
cross-sectional
research
design,
first-year
undergraduate
students
large
South
African
university
were
recruited
via
email
participate
in
survey
between
September
October
2020.
Household
Food
Insecurity
Access
Scale
(HFIAS)
used
measure
Patient
Health
Questionnaire
Anxiety
Depression
(PHQ-ADS)
distress.
Multivariate
regression
investigate
factors
associated
with
dropout.
Results
rate
10.5%
(95%
CI:
8.2-13.2).
prevalence
severe
25.7%
22.3-29.4)
symptoms
26.7%
23.3-30.4).
Dropout
rates
levels
highest
among
residing
remote
areas
lockdown
at
19.2%
43.6%,
respectively.
multivariate
logistic
revealed
that
being
male
probability
almost
three-fold
(odds
ratio
(OR)
=
2.70;
95%
1.48-4.89,
p
=0.001)).
Being
moderately
insecure
odds
more
than
two-fold
(OR=2.50;
CI:1.12-5.55,
p=0.025),
experiencing
seven-fold
(OR=7.08;
CI:2.67-18.81,
p<0.001).
Conclusion
While
acknowledging
various
complexities
contribute
dropout,
vulnerability
stemming
issues
such
as
widespread
job
losses
isolation
experienced
pandemic,
may
have
also
had
an
reiterates
importance
directing
additional
support
who
are
those
order
mitigate
Language: Английский
Value seeking, health-conscious or sustainability-concerned? Profiling fruit and vegetable consumers in Euro-Mediterranean countries
British Food Journal,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
126(13), P. 303 - 331
Published: May 21, 2024
Purpose
The
aim
of
this
study
was
to
investigate
consumer
preferences
and
profile
their
food-related
lifestyles,
as
well
identify
groups
with
similar
attitudes/behaviours
in
the
Euro-Mediterranean
fruit
vegetable
market.
Design/methodology/approach
A
structured
questionnaire
designed
drawing
from
food
related
lifestyles
instrument
including
other
factors
relevant
preferences.
data
were
collected
an
online
survey
925
participants
France,
Greece,
Italy.
principal
component
analysis
conducted
interpret
examine
consumers'
lifestyles.
In
addition,
a
cluster
performed
different
segments,
based
on
core
dimensions
lifestyle
approach.
Findings
each
country,
three
primary
segments
distinguished.
Health-conscious
individuals
predominant
France
while
quality-conscious
consumers
prevalent
These
classifications
determined
considering
various
such
purchase
motivation,
perception
product
quality,
health
concerns,
environmental
certifications,
price
sensitivity.
Originality/value
approach
has
been
adapted
create
customised
specifically
capture
intricacies
priorities
Countries.
Language: Английский
Proportion of food insecurity and its sociodemographic correlates among Spanish adolescents: the EHDLA study
Frontiers in Nutrition,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
12
Published: March 31, 2025
Insufficient
and
unequal
access
to
food
(i.e.
insecurity
[FI])
has
a
negative
impact
on
health,
especially
in
vulnerable
groups
such
as
adolescents.
This
study
determined
the
prevalence
of
FI
its
sociodemographic
correlates
among
adolescents
Valle
de
Ricote,
Region
Murcia,
Spain.
A
secondary
analysis
was
conducted
using
data
from
Eating
Healthy
Daily
Life
Activities
(EHDLA)
study,
which
provides
sample
882
(median
=
14,
interquartile
range
[IQR]
2)
collected
during
2021-2022
academic
year.
measured
Child
Food
Security
Survey
Module
Spanish
(CFSSM-S).
Findings
showed
16.2%,
with
significant
disparities.
Adolescents
immigrant
(n:
67;
%:
46.9;
odds
ratio
[OR]
2.41;
95%
CI:
1.38
4.21)
diverse
25;
17.5;
OR=2.04;
1.10
3.79)
families
higher
susceptibility
FI.
In
addition,
parental
education
related
lower
(university
education:
n:
13;
9.6;
OR=0.36;
0.17
0.74).
These
findings
highlight
need
for
targeted
public
health
policies
that
improve
nutritious
food,
enhance
education,
address
socioeconomic
inequalities
effectively
reduce
Language: Английский
Beyond hunger: uncovering the link between food insecurity and depression, anxiety, and stress in adolescents
Current Developments in Nutrition,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 107453 - 107453
Published: April 1, 2025
Language: Английский
Food insecurity, Mediterranean diet adherence, and psychosocial health among university students in Türkiye
International Journal of Environmental Health Research,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
34(1), P. 649 - 659
Published: Jan. 2, 2024
The
aim
was
to
examine
the
relationship
between
food
insecurity
and
adherence
Mediterranean
diet,
academic
achievement,
depression,
anxiety,
stress
among
university
students.
This
cross-sectional
study
conducted
with
2039
students
studying
in
Türkiye.
Sixty-eight
point
two
per
cent
of
were
insecure.
Food
security
(FS)
scores
negatively
associated
MD
positively
scores.
A
1-unit
increase
FS
score
resulted
a
statistically
significant
0.458,
0.468,
0.400
units
scores,
respectively,
decrease
0.140
screener
score.
Türkiye
is
very
common,
have
low
achievement
high
Financial
support
as
well
financial
literacy
provided
play
an
important
role
managing
insecurity.
Language: Английский
Assessing the prevalence and potential drivers of food insecurity and the relationship with mental wellbeing in UK university students: A cross‐sectional study
Nutrition Bulletin,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
49(1), P. 96 - 107
Published: Feb. 4, 2024
Abstract
Food
insecurity
(FI)
among
university
students
in
the
United
States
has
been
associated
with
poor
mental
wellbeing,
but
very
little
is
known
about
relationship
between
FI
and
wellbeing
UK
population.
Here
we
examined
prevalence
of
FI,
determined
potential
drivers
for
it
its
coping
ability.
Students
studying
at
universities
(
n
=
289)
completed
an
online
self‐reported
questionnaire
to
obtain
socio‐economic
characteristics
including
financial
status,
status
(Household
Insecurity
Access
scale),
(Warwick‐Edinburgh
Mental
Wellbeing
Scale)
ability
(coping
flexibility
scale).
was
observed
28%
participants
independence,
running
out
money,
borrowing
money
lacking
confidence
purchase
healthy
foods
p
<
0.05).
Although
cannot
determine
directionality,
logistic
regression
analysis
revealed
those
who
were
judged
as
more
likely
shop
often
(OR
3.139
95%
CI
1.533–6.429),
never
snacked
meals
4.261
1.309–13.875)
amount
food
purchased
affected
by
perceptions
price
general
2.954
1.675–5.210).
Financial
instability
inability
access
nutritious
may
contribute
decrease
0.01)
lower
cope
stressful
situations
food‐insecure
although
direction
these
relationships
be
from
this
cross‐sectional
study.
This
study
identified
that
there
a
need
develop
appropriate
strategies
combat
improve
health.
Language: Английский
Evaluation of Food Security Status and Mediterranean Diet Adherence of Air Services Employees in İstanbul, Türkiye
Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(2), P. 414 - 422
Published: June 28, 2024
Objective:
Since
airports
operate
in
foreign
currency
and
are
far
from
cities,
employees
could
be
limited
to
purchase
food
beverages
more
expensive
sales
points.
Additionally,
air
services
may
at
risk
for
poor
nutritional
status
due
job-specific
unhealthy
dietary
habits
lifestyle
behaviors.
Yet,
as
workplaces
have
been
understudied
terms
of
environment.
Hence,
this
study
the
aim
is
assess
security
(FS)
Mediterranean
diet
adherence
(MDA)
among
Atatürk
Istanbul
airports’
employees.
Methods:
The
face-to-face
cross-sectional
was
conducted
with
a
non-probability
sample
381
that
were
recruited
between
February
May
2022.
FS
assessed
Food
Insecurity
Experience
Scale
MDA
Diet
Adherence
Screener
(MEDAS).
Regression
analyses
analyze
independent
variables
affecting
FS.
Results:
found
7.6±2.07
most
participants
within
moderate
range.
While
14.6%
(n:
55)
or
severe
insecurity,
2.9%
11)
insecurity.
regression
revealed
factors
insecurity
education,
income,
smoking,
use
medication,
dieting
(p
Language: Английский
Food insecurity prevalence and its sociodemographic correlates among Spanish adolescents: The EHDLA study
Research Square (Research Square),
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: Nov. 7, 2024
Abstract
Insufficient
and
unequal
access
to
food
(i.e.
insecurity
[FI])
has
a
negative
impact
on
health,
especially
in
vulnerable
groups
such
as
adolescents.
This
study
investigates
the
prevalence
of
FI
its
sociodemographic
correlates
among
adolescents
Valle
de
Ricote,
Murcia,
Spain.
Using
data
from
Eating
Healthy
Daily
Life
Activities
(EHDLA)
study,
representative
sample
882
(median
=
14,
IQR
2)
was
analyzed
during
2021–2022
academic
year.
measured
using
Child
Food
Security
Survey
Module
Spanish
(CFSSM-S).
Findings
showed
16.2%,
with
significant
disparities.
Adolescents
immigrant
(odds
ratio
[OR]
2.41;
95%
CI:
1.38–4.21)
diverse
(OR
2.04;
1.10–3.79)
families
higher
susceptibility
FI.
In
addition,
parental
education
reduced
risk
(college
education:
OR
0.36;
0.17–0.74).
These
findings
reveal
high
adolescents,
underscoring
urgent
need
implement
public
health
policies
interventions
reduce
these
social
Language: Английский
Association Between Food Insecurity, Body Composition, Anemia and Cognitive Performance Among Students of a Ghanaian University
Coffie Gifty,
No information about this author
Marina Aferiba Tandoh,
No information about this author
Andrews Baah
No information about this author
et al.
Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
unknown, P. 1 - 19
Published: Nov. 25, 2024
Language: Английский
Food insecurity and lifestyle behaviours in university students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: a comparative survey across three countries
Maria M. Witkowiak,
No information about this author
Adama Nana Idris,
No information about this author
Amy F. Sato
No information about this author
et al.
BMC Public Health,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
24(1)
Published: Dec. 23, 2024
University
students,
often
unemployed
and
reliant
on
low-nutrition
foods,
are
susceptible
to
food
insecurity
(FI)
with
potential
physical
mental
health
challenges.
This
study
explores
FI
its
impact
lifestyle
behaviours
among
university
students.
A
cross-sectional
web-based
was
performed
by
sending
an
online
questionnaire
students
in
Lebanon,
Cyprus,
Germany
during
the
COVID-19
pandemic.
Using
validated
measures,
i.e.,
Household
Food
Insecurity
Access
Scale,
International
Physical
Activity
Questionnaire,
Pittsburgh
Sleep
Quality
Index,
Mediterranean
Diet
Adherence
Screener,
adjusted
linear
regression
models
were
assess
associations
between
country,
activity,
sleep
quality,
diet.
In
a
convenience
sample
of
611
individuals
(350
Germany,
214
47
Cyprus)
enrolled
study,
547
provided
complete
response.
190
(34.7%)
experienced
FI,
whom
52
(9.5%)
severely
food-insecure,
variation
prevalence
countries
(18.9%
14.9%
60.3%
Lebanon).
Lifestyle
also
differed
participants
from
three
countries,
exhibiting
highest
activity
level
lowest
adherence
diet
compared
Lebanon
Cyprus.
On
other
hand,
Cyprus
had
similar
behaviours.
Concerning
sleep,
showed
poorest
quality.
significantly
correlated
reduced
(beta
−
0.171,
95%
Confidence
Interval
(-0.313,
-0.029)),
but
not
or
The
country
residence
independently
predicted
(p
<
0.05).
suggests
that
impacts
varying
income
levels,
influences
Larger-size
studies
essential
confirm
these
findings
further
explore
FI's
outside
context
Language: Английский