Assessing differences in food security status _x000D_among college students enrolled at a _x000D_public california state university _x000D_campus/by Alida Espinoza

The purpose of this study was to assess differences in food security status among college students enrolled in a public CSU campus based on their GPA, race/ethnicity, and living arrangements. This study also identified the prevalence of food insecurity in student participants. A cross-sectional design was used, with a main study sample size of 597 students and a pilot study sample size of 77 students. This study involved an analysis of primary original data using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Three hypotheses were tested using a Chi Square test at an alpha level of .05. The results of the hypotheses revealed no differences in food security status based on participants??? GPA or race/ethnicity. However, a difference in food security status was found based on participants??? living arrangements. Additional factors were identified which also resulted in differences in food security status among this selected college student population, including income level, credit card debt, self-reported health status, and use of food coping strategies. The present study found that approximately one in three students were food insecure