Hunger

Food Insecurity
Harms Students’
Education
Food insecurity on college campuses has a negative impact on
the educational experience. It’s hard to concentrate in class or
to focus on your studies when you’re hungry or worrying about
financial obstacles. Whether due to nutritional deficits or the stress
and distraction of dealing with financial hardship, 19 food insecurity
can compromise students’ ability to perform well in their classes. 20 In
extreme cases, food insecurity can force students to take time off from
school or discontinue their education entirely.
In one recent survey of food insecure students at the University of
Massachusetts, Boston, 80 percent of respondents reported that their
food insecurity affected their class performance. More than 55 percent
indicated that food insecurity compromised their ability to attend
classes, and four percent stated that they had to forego college for one or
more semesters due to food or housing insecurity. 21
Of the food insecure students surveyed for this report, 32 percent
believed that hunger or housing problems had an impact on their
education. When asked about the impact caused by their hunger and
housing problems, 55 percent reported that these problems caused them
to not buy a required textbook, 53 percent reported missing a class, and
25 percent reported dropping a class.
19 Roger Hughes et al, “Student Food Insecurity: The Skeleton in the University Closet,” Nutrition
and Dietetics 2001, 68: 27-32.
20 Maya E. Maroto, “Food Insecurity among Community College Students: Prevalence and
Association with GPA, Energy, and Concentration,” Community College Journal of Research and
Practice, 39(6), 515–526.
21 Meghan R. Silva et al, “The Relationship Between Food Security, Housing Stability, and
School Performance among College Students in an Urban University,” Journal of College
Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, 1521025115621918, December 14, 2015,
doi:10.1177/1521025115621918.
21