Examining the association of student mental health and food security with college GPA

Abstract

Background

Low food security and poor mental health are a persistent concern for college students.

Objective

Examine how food security and mental health are associated with college student’s grade point average (GPA).

Methods

American College Health Association (ACHA)-National College Health Assessment III survey data Spring 2020 of students from 75 US universities (n = 48,103) were utilized to examine relationships among mental health, food security and academic performance (GPA).

Results

The majority of the population self-reported high food security (58.3%) and moderate psychological distress (50.8%). Very low food security (B = −.523, OR = .59, p < .001) and moderate psychological distress (B = −0.19, OR = .83, p < .001) were inversely associated with high GPA. Reduced food security was associated with worse mental health measures.

Conclusions

Food security and mental health are negatively associated with GPA. To improve student success, universities must enhance services that address food insecurity and mental health.

Keywords:

• Academic performance
• food insecurity
• loneliness
• psychological well-being
• psychological distress

Acknowledgments

The authors would also like to thank the University of California Riverside staff from departments The Well and Basic Needs for making this project possible. Specific individuals include Devon Sakamoto, Marisol Torres, Daniel Lopez, Megan Harbert, and Sesley Lewis.

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of Loma Linda University.

Disclaimer

The opinions, findings, and conclusions presented/reported in this manuscript are those of the authors, and are in no way meant to represent the corporate opinions, views, or policies of the American College Health Association (ACHA). ACHA does not warrant nor assume any liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information presented in this article/presentation.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.