Test Validity of a Single-Item Food Insecurity Screening Assessment Among College Students

• Published in: American journal of health promotion 2024-11, p.8901171241302001
• Main Authors: Jarvis, Jocelyn E, Perez, Jacqueline, Himmelgreen, David, Dumford, Amber D, Conner, Kyaien, Stern, Marilyn, DeBate, Rita
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0890-1171; 2168-6602; 2168-6602
• DOI: 10.1177/08901171241302001

Given the high prevalence of food insecurity among college students, there is an interest in identifying whether the use of a single item can adequately screen for food insecurity. The current study aimed to determine the validity of a single-item food insecurity screening question among college students. Cross-sectional study exploring food insecurity among racial and ethnic undergraduate college students. Large urban U.S. research university. Undergraduate students (n = 667) 18 years or older. Food Insecurity screening was assessed via a single-item from the USDA Household Food Security Short Form (USDA FSSM-SF). Food security was assessed via the USDA FSSM-SF, a validated six-item scale that assesses food insecurity and hunger. Logistic regression assessed the validity of the single-item food insecurity question tested against the USDA FSSM-SF. The full model was statistically significant, χ2(1) = 161.44, < .001 explaining 54.5% of the variance in food insecurity status correctly classifying 95.7% of cases. Sensitivity of the model was found to be 97.6%; specificity was found to be 69.6%. Positive predictive value was calculated to be 97.74%; negative predictive value was computed to be 68.09%. Results support for the test validity of a single-item screening question that can be used to detect food insecurity among college students and inform secondary prevention programs aimed at food insecurity.