Experiences of Hunger and Food Insecurity in College by Lisa Henry

Author:Lisa Henry
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
ISBN: 9783030318185
Publisher: Springer International Publishing

Poor nutrition emerged as the second-largest theme (33%) when participants discussed the physical effects of hunger and food insecurity. Participants talked about the great expense of groceries. They bought as little as possible and often skipped meals. They could afford only nutrient-poor, highly processed food. They purchased food that was from cheap brands, was long-lasting, could be stretched, and was on sale. They acknowledged that the food they ate was low in nutritional value, but they could not afford fresh food that would spoil quickly. Molly, a 23-year-old White junior who lived on campus, noted: Oh boy. It’s really hard to stay healthy whenever you’re poor, I guess. Like I try to make healthier decisions. I try to eat more vegetables and stuff. But I’ll eat what I have.

Importantly, participants directly associated poor nutrition and hunger with their physical symptoms of lack of energy (as noted above), getting sick, and weight issues. Thirty-three percent of participants mentioned specific nutrient deficiencies (such as potassium, iron, vitamin D, and vitamin A) and specific illnesses or health conditions, such as kidney stones, weak immune system, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, eye soreness, dehydration, poor skin, headaches, stomach aches, digestive issues, poor circulation, cavities, joint pain, bronchitis, loss of muscle, muscle cramps, feeling hazy or dizzy, and fainting. Ana, a 22-year-old African-American junior, noted: All I ate were noodles and I got very, very, very sick. I didn’t have any energy . I wasn’t getting any nutrients that I needed. I had low energy and my head was foggy. Vanessa, a 21-year-old African-American junior, insisted: I got the flu from skipping meals. I know I did. Poor nutrition weakened my immune system and I got the flu. I told myself to take a break, to re-evaluate my life. I told myself that I need to eat more and to sleep more. Weight issues were mentioned by 27 percent of participants as a consequence of food insecurity. Of those who mentioned weight issues, 48 percent mentioned weight loss, 28 percent mentioned weight gain from eating a poor diet, and 24 percent mentioned frequent fluctuations in weight.

As discussed in Chap. 2, students who experienced food insecurity as children seem to have a strong sense of resolve or coping. One student said he felt no physical effect from being food insecure because he has always been hungry. He has learned how to adjust and suppress any physiological effect of hunger.

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