Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 4-14-2023
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
Nutrition and Hospitality Management
First Advisor
Georgianna Mann
Second Advisor
Victoria Zigmont
Third Advisor
Kate Forster
Relational Format
Dissertation/Thesis
Abstract
Recent literature has demonstrated high rates of food insecurity in college students, with most estimates ranging from 30 to 40 percent. Additionally, the college diet is notoriously lacking in nutrition, and a large majority of college students do not meet the recommendations made by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Nutrition security, defined as an individual having consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods that promote wellbeing and prevent disease, addresses both of these issues.
This study, conducted in Spring 2022, used focus groups to examine food behaviors in a sample of majority undergraduate students at the University of Mississippi (n = 44) in order to better understand nutrition security. Student comments were coded and organized into three themes: student food sources, factors affecting food behaviors, and the academic, emotional, and social impacts of nutrition insecurity. Results indicated that a limited variety of nutritious foods are available at campus dining locations, that students had difficulty affording a variety of healthy foods, and that time constraints and lack of resources for food procurement and preparation are barriers to food accessibility. Additionally, students noted emotional stress and lack of focus as two main impacts of nutrition insecurity. Future interventions should improve the availability of nutritious foods on campus and continue to assist students who are struggling financially, keeping students’ health and wellbeing at the forefront.
Recommended Citation
Selby, Bethany, "A Qualitative Study of Food Behaviors in University of Mississippi Students as They Relate to Nutrition Security" (2023). Honors Theses. 2862.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/2862
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.