Food insecurity among female collegiate athletes exists despite university assistance

• Published in: Journal of American college health 2024-08, Vol.72 (6), p.1904-1910
• Main Authors: Douglas, Crystal Clark, Camel, Simone P., Mayeux, Wesley
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration; Adolescent; Athletes; Athletes - psychology; Athletes - statistics & numerical data; athletics; College students; Colleges & universities; community health; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Females; Food Insecurity; Food security; gender; health education; Humans; Insecurity; Meals; nutrition; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Student athletes; Students - psychology; Students - statistics & numerical data; Surveys and Questionnaires; Texas; Universities - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0744-8481; 1940-3208; 1940-3208
• DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2098029

To determine the prevalence and characteristics of food insecurity among female collegiate athletes. NCAA Division I female athletes attending a public university located in East Texas in 2018. A prospective cross-sectional online survey was employed to gather quantitative and qualitative data regarding food security status. Participants were instructed to complete the 26-item questionnaire, including the six-item USFSSM. Participants (N = 78) were 18-22 years of age, largely white (75%). Despite most (89.74%) receiving some form of scholarship and 80% reporting provision of some meals, 32.10% were classified as food insecure. Barriers to food intake were two-fold higher among the food insecure (88% vs 43%, p