Keywords

Student Well-Being; Public Health; Social Determinants of Health; Campus Food Pantries; Student Support Programs; University Dining Services

Abstract

Both food allergies and food insecurity are public health concerns that are becoming increasingly prevalent. However, there has been limited discussion on how to support individuals who experience these two challenges concurrently, particularly at higher education institutions. In this study, I examined the intersection of food allergies and food insecurity among students at the University of Central Florida (UCF). There is a focus on the disparities in access to safe foods, financial responsibility, healthcare, and overall well-being. A total of 221 UCF students completed the survey distributed, which assessed food security status using the USDA’s Household Food Security Survey Module, food allergy status, and related variables. Almost one-third of participants reported having one or more food allergies, and over half of the participants experienced low or very low food security, with both of these rates being higher than national estimates. The independent-samples t-tests revealed that food-allergic students rate dining services and the campus food pantry as unable to accommodate their dietary restrictions. The one-way ANOVA indicated that low food security was strongly associated with poorer physical, mental, and social health, greater financial responsibility, and increased use of campus pantry services. When both food allergies and food insecurity were analyzed together, students experiencing these public health concerns concurrently reported the poorest mental health and greatest financial responsibility. These findings underscore the need for higher education institutions to address the intersection of food insecurity and food allergies through targeted interventions. Such interventions could be increasing allergen-safe food options, adjusting financial aid policies, and providing tailored mental health support. By implementing inclusive policies and resources, higher education institutions can better support the well-being and academic success of students navigating both food allergies and food insecurity.

Thesis Completion Year

2025

Thesis Completion Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair

Donley, Amy

College

College of Sciences

Department

Sociology

Thesis Discipline

Sociology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright