Four out of ten university students have reported they are
worried that they will run out of food as they deal with the impact of the
coronavirus pandemic, according to a new report.
A collaboration of universities in the UK and USA surveyed
students on their levels of food insecurity during April, after universities in
both nations ceased campus-based teaching.
The preliminary findings outlined in the report, Food Insecurity and Lived Experiences of Students, reveal students
have high levels of food insecurity and low levels of mental wellbeing,
alongside a high level of lost jobs and income since the outbreak of COVID-19.
The findings have been submitted to the UK Education Select
Committee inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s
services.
The survey was completed by more than 1,200 students. The
results reveal that 41% of students were worried that their food would run out
and almost 35% of students reported high or very high, levels of food insecurity.
Those students who lived either alone or with other students
were much more likely to face food insecurity than students who either lived at
home already or who returned to their family home when lockdown began.
The situation was more positive for 56% of those students who
were able to return home and live with their parents, as their parents purchased
food and there was shared responsibility for preparing meals.
Financial worries were also a cause for concern. Almost 60%
of students who responded to the survey said they were employed and reliant on
this income to fund their education and living expenses. However, as many
students are employed in the hospitality, leisure, and retail sectors they face
a disproportionate loss in their jobs and income when businesses closed their
doors.
There is already a known correlation between food insecurity
and mental health and wellbeing, and this was confirmed further in the
findings. One in five students report they are experiencing high levels of food
insecurity and poor mental wellbeing, with many saying that they are eating
unhealthy, ultra-processed foods and skipping meals
The authors of the report have called on the government and
stakeholders in higher education, including Universities UK and the Office for
Students to provide increased support for students.
In the UK, their recommendations include an increase and
expansion in maintenance grants and loans and increasing the value of the
hardship fund provided to UK universities.
Northumbria University’s Healthy Living Lab is one of the UK’s
leading research centres into issues around the impact of diet on educational
attainment and wellbeing, holiday hunger and food insecurity in children and
young people. Researchers from the Lab worked in collaboration with internationally
renowned academics from City, University of London; the universities of
Sheffield and Ulster and Oklahoma State University in the USA, as well as representatives
from the Students’ Unions at Northumbria and Ulster universities to proactively
investigate the emergence of wellbeing issues as the COVID-19 pandemic took
hold
Professor Greta Defeyter, Director of the Healthy Living Lab, explained: “Unfortunately
we have become accustomed to seeing food banks on the high street, but I was
surprised to hear that many universities around the world operate food banks or
food pantries to alleviate student food insecurity.
“As in the wider society, this issue is not just about young
people not being able to manage budgets. Rather, our research suggests that this
issue is much more fundamental, it is a poverty issue, and challenges our
perceptions of student equality and our belief systems of the stereotypical
‘poor student’.
“Our research has shown that, during the COVID-19 pandemic,
a disproportionate number of higher education students face a primary loss of
income, high levels of food insecurity, and poor mental wellbeing both in the
UK and USA.”
Dr Michael Long, Associate Professor for Sociology at
Oklahoma State University, said: “It is clear from this study that food insecurity in university students
is alarmingly high since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and will likely
increase the existing inequalities in the food systems in the United States and
the UK.
“While food
insecurity is a substantial and potentially growing problem for university
students in general and within Oklahoma, we hope that this research will lead
to evidence-based solutions aimed at reducing food insecurity and inequality.”
Dr Christian Reynolds of the Centre for Food Policy, City, University of London and a visiting
Researcher at the University of Sheffield’s Institute for Sustainable Food,
added: “This research is some of the first to have linked food insecurity and
the COVID-19 lockdown through to coping mechanisms such as eating unhealthy,
ultra-processed foods and skipping meals.
“It was alarming to see that 33% of those who self-reported ultra-processed
foods as their main type of food, also experience food insecurity,” he said,
but he also reported an appetite for change adding that he had received emails
from students who were hopeful that sharing their experiences will lead to
wider support and structural changes.
Dr Sinéad Furey, Ulster University’s research lead for this
project commented: “This research provides an essential
insight and understanding of the challenges students face in accessing and affording food in the context of the
COVID-19 pandemic and has worryingly outlined that one in three students
reported low or very low levels of food security and two in five were worried
that their food would run out. Our findings will now enable universities to
produce revised recommendations for students to alleviate this pressing need.
Not to take action is a disservice to the next generation of employment-ready
graduates.”
Andrew McAnallen, President of Ulster University Students’
Union, added: “Throughout the COVID-19 lockdown students have been riddled with
uncertainty, with many losing jobs or becoming furloughed as a result of the
pandemic. For many, this has resulted in financial insecurity and many
students are worried about being able to put quality food on the table as a
result. This paper offers a really
valuable insight into the vulnerable and challenging situation students have
experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and reinforces the need to create a
higher education system which is publicly-funded, lifelong and sustainable.”
The paper Food Insecurity and Lived Experiences of Students is available to view here.
Northumbria University is already leading on a major £2
million national project for the Office for Students to transform the way that universities use data and analytics to identify mental health
issues in students.
