The effect of food insecurity during college on graduation and type of degree attained: evidence from a nationally representative longitudinal survey

Objective: To examine the effect of food insecurity during college on graduation and degree attainment. Design: Secondary analysis of longitudinal panel data. We measured food insecurity concurrent with college enrolment using the 18-question United States Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module. Educational attainment was measured in 2015-2017 via two questions about college completion and highest degree attained. Logistic and multinomial logit models adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics were estimated. Setting: USA Participants: A nationally representative, balanced panel of 1574 college students in the USA in 1999-2003 with follow-up through 2015-2017 from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics. Results: In 1999-2003, 14 center dot 5 % of college students were food-insecure and were more likely to be older, non-White and first-generation students. In adjusted models, food insecurity was associated with lower odds of college graduation (OR 0 center dot 57, 95 % CI: 0 center dot 37, 0 center dot 88, P = 0 center dot 01) and lower likelihood of obtaining a bachelor's degree (relative risk ratio (RRR) 0 center dot 57 95 % CI: 0 center dot 35, 0 center dot 92, P = 0 center dot 02) or graduate/professional degree (RRR 0 center dot 39, 95 % CI: 0 center dot 17, 0 center dot 86, P = 0 center dot 022). These associations were more pronounced among first-generation students. And 47 center dot 2 % of first-generation students who experienced food insecurity graduated from college; food-insecure first-generation students were less likely to graduate compared to first-generation students who were food-secure (47 center dot 2 % v. 59 center dot 3 %, P = 0 center dot 020) and non-first-generation students who were food-insecure (47 center dot 2 % v. 65 center dot 2 %, P = 0 center dot 037). Conclusions: Food insecurity during college is a barrier to graduation and higher-degree attainment, particularly for first-generation students. Existing policies and programmes that help mitigate food insecurity should be expanded and more accessible to the college student population.