What question did this study set out to answer?

This analysis aims to examine the predictors, correlates, and trajectories of food insecurity among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

June 3, 2026Open Access

Food insecurity in New York City college students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a longitudinal analysis of predictors, correlates, and trajectories

Key Points

This analysis aims to examine the predictors, correlates, and trajectories of food insecurity among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self-administered questionnaires were completed by undergraduate students quarterly from 2020 to 2021.
Food insecurity was measured based on responses regarding available food and meals.
Trajectories of food insecurity were created using cumulative reports over the study period.
Food insecurity varied over time with rates of 21% (T1), 25% (T2), 17% (T3), and 19% (T4).
Factors predicting food insecurity included preexisting food insecurity, low social support, and experiences of violence.
Five percent of students experienced persistent food insecurity, correlated with high psychological distress and unsafe home perceptions.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To examine predictors, correlates, and trajectories of food insecurity (FI) among students during COVID-19. PARTICIPANTS: Undergraduates. METHODS: Between 2020-2021, students completed quarterly (T1-T4) self-administered questionnaires. FI comprised food not lasting or not affording balanced meals. Trajectories were created using cumulative FI reports. RESULTS: Across time, FI varied (T1 = 21%, T2 = 25%, T3 = 17%, T4 = 19%). FI predictors included preexisting FI, need-based aid, low social support, alcohol use, COVID-19 care-seeking behaviors, violence experience, transgender/gender non-conforming TGNC identity, and unsafe home perceptions. FI trajectories spanned Never (69%), Rarely (12% FI once), Frequently (14% FI twice/thrice), and Persistently (5%). Along with low social support, Persistently FI students had high psychological distress, need-based aid, unsafe home perceptions, smoking/vaping, drug use, TGNC representation, violence experience, and COVID-19 care-seeking behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: FI was associated with sociodemographic, residential, interpersonal, psychosocial, behavioral, and healthcare-related factors. In routine campus operations and emergency situations, universities must develop multi-component interventions to address multi-factorial stressors.

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Cite This Study

Heck et al. (Sun,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a1fc3d7dee9eb8c0dce562e https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2026.2674845

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