Prevalence and perspectives of food insecurity among university students from indigenous communities in northwest Mexico
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt20251800Keywords:
University Students, Food insecurity, Indigenous groups, Academic performance, HungerAbstract
Introduction: Food insecurity is a global public health issue for Indigenous students.
Objectives: To characterize the prevalence of food insecurity and explore the perspective about food insecurity of students from indigenous communities attending universities in northwest Mexico.
Methods: This study used a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data was gathered from an online survey to assess the prevalence of food insecurity, socio-economic, dietary, sleep quality, stress, and academic performance status of 328 university students from indigenous communities. Also, weight and height measurements were recorded. The 328 survey respondents provided the recruitment pool for the qualitative data collection. This data was obtained via three focus groups and open-ended questions to explore perspectives on food insecurity. Multiple lineal regression and constant comparison methods were used for data analysis.
Results: Food insecurity was found in 83.5 % of students. Variables associated with increased food insecurity (p<0.05) include: living alone (β=1.971) with peers (β=0.936), timeframe of undergraduate program (β=0.523), nutritional behaviors (β=-0.260), higher stress levels (β=0.669), poor sleep quality (β=0.328), poor academic performance (β=-0.037).
Students experienced food insecurity and hunger throughout their time as university students. Strategies to cope their food insecurity included reducing food portions and variety, as well as selling personal cultural items.
Conclusion: Indigenous students attending universities in northwest Mexico exhibits high levels of food insecurity. Students' perspectives on food insecurity are interconnected with demographic, academic, psychological, health, and nutritional behaviors. These findings should be considered when designing and implementing programs to prevent and address food insecurity and hunger among students from indigenous communities.
References
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Student food insecurity: Examining barriers to higher education at the University of Saskatchewan. J Hunger Environ Nutr. 2018;13(1):19-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/19320248.2017.1393365 Bruening M. Argo K. Payne-Sturges D. Laska MN. The Struggle Is Real: A Systematic Review of Food Insecurity on Postsecondary Education Campuses. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017;117(11):1767–1791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2017.05.022. Aguilar-Barojas S. Fórmulas Para El Cálculo de La Muestra En Investigaciones de Salud. Salud en Tabasco. 2005;11(1-2):333–338. Available from: https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/487/48711206.pdf Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Oct 15]. Available from: https://www.fao.org/policy-support/tools-and-publications/resources-details/en/c/1236494/ Fautsch-Macías Y, Glasauer P. Guidelines for assessing nutrition-related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices. 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Paso a paso en el diseño de un estudio mediante grupos focales. Aten Primaria. 2002;29(6):366–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70585-4 Onwuegbuzie AJ, Dickinson WB, Leech NL, Zoran AG. A Qualitative Framework for Collecting and Analyzing Data in Focus Group Research. Int J Qual Methods. 2009;8(3):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940690900800301 Glaser BG, Strauss AL. The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. New York: Routledge; 1999. Strauss AL, Corbin JM. Grounded theory in practice. United States: Sage Publications Inc; 1997. El Zein A, Shelnutt KP, Colby S, Vilaro MJ, Zhou W, Greene G, Olfert MD, Riggsbee K, Morrell JS, Mathews AE. Prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among U.S. college students: a multi-institutional study. BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):660. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-69436 Mello JA, Gans KM, Risica PM, Kirtania U, Strolla LO, Fournier L. How Is Food Insecurity Associated with Dietary Behaviors? An Analysis with Low-Income, Ethnically Diverse Participants in a Nutrition Intervention Study. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110(12):1906-1911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2010.09.011 Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas. Etnografía del pueblo seri (konkaak / comca'ac) de Sonora. [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2024 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.gob.mx/inpi/articulos/seris-konkaak Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo. Dieta, inseguridad alimentaria y estado de nutrición en la población indígena de Sonora. [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.ciad.mx/dieta-inseguridad-alimentaria-y-estado-de-nutricion-en-la-poblacion-indigena-de-sonora/ Escobar-Neira C. Soluciones articuladas a partir de las necesidades de las comunidades: Plan de Desarrollo Integral del Pueblo Seri (pueblo comcáac). PERSPECTIVAS IMTA. 2022;16:1-3. https://doi.org/10.24850/b-imta-perspectivas-2022-16 Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas. Etnografía del pueblo zapoteco del Istmo de Tehuantepec (Binnizá). [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2024 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.gob.mx/inpi/articulos/etnografia-del-pueblo-zapoteco-del-istmo-de-tehuantepec-binniza Broton K, Weaver K, Mai M. Hunger in Higher Education: Experiences and Correlates of Food Insecurity among Wisconsin Undergraduates from Low-Income Families. Soc Sci. 2018;7(10):179. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci7100179 Honório OS, Mendes LL, Moreira CC, Araújo ML, Pessoa MC. Evolution of food deserts and food swamps in a Brazilian metropolis between 2008 and 2020. Cien Saude Colet. 2024;29(10). https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320242910.09582023
Coleman-Jensen A, Gregory CA, Rabbitt MP. Food Security in the U.S., Measurement. Economic Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. [Internet]. 2023 [cited 2025 Oct 15]. Available from: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/measurement/ Leroy JL, Ruel M, Frongillo EA, Harris J, and Ballard TJ. Measuring the food access dimension of food security: a critical review and mapping of indicators. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. 2015;36 (2):167-95. http://doi.org/10.1177/0379572115587274 Maillet MA, Grouzet FME. Understanding changes in eating behavior during the transition to university from a self-determination theory perspective: a systematic review. J Am Coll Health. 2023;71(2):422-439. http://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2021.1891922 Goldrick-Rab S, Baker-Smith C, Coca V, Looker E, Williams T. College and University Basic Needs Insecurity: A National #RealCollege Survey Report.; 2019. https://www.insidehighered.com/sites/default/server_files/media/HOPE_realcollege_National_report_EMBARGOED%20UNTIL%20APRIL%2030%203%20AM%20EST%20(1).pdf. Accessed November 15, 2021 Hagedorn-Hatfield RL, Hood LB, Hege A. A Decade of College Student Hunger: What We Know and Where We Need to Go. Front Public Health. 2022;10: 837724. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.837724 Mihrshahi S, Dharmayani PNA, Amin J, Bhatti A, Chau JY, Ronto R, Turnip D, Taylor M. Higher Prevalence of Food Insecurity and Psychological Distress among International University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Australian Perspective. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(21):14101. http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114101 UNIDOS US. Survey of Latinos in Higher Education Unveiling Barriers, Celebrating Persistence and Identifying Opportunities for Tomorrow. [Internet]. 2024 [cited 2025 May 26]. Available from: https://unidosus.org/publications/latinos-and-higher-education-survey/. Sánchez S, Orozco-González CN, González-Fajardo KD. Social determinants related to food insecurity among nutrition students at a Mexican university. Horizonte Sanitario, 2025;23(3):622-630. https://doi.org/10.19136/hs.a23n3.5883. Cardoso-Sánchez LI, Vaquero-Vera A, Gutiérrez-Moguel NV, Acosta-Chí ZA. Sobrepeso y Obesidad, Anemia e Inseguridad Alimentaria en Estudiantes de la Universidad de la Cañada: Un Estudio Descriptivo. Salud y Administración. 2018;5(15):3-13. Instituto Nacional para la Evaluación de la Educación-UNICEF. Panorama educativo estatal de la población indígena 2018. [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2024 Oct 6]. Available from: https://www.inee.edu.mx/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/P3B112.pdf Joy-Correll K, Nevill E, Bird-Matheson H, McLennan H, Quinn A, Mayer Y, Jarus T. Barriers and facilitators for Indigenous students and staff in health and human services educational programs. Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract. 2022;27(2):501-520. https://doi.org/10.1007/S10459-022-10099-6 Paricahua-Peralta JN, Estrada-Araoz EG, León-Hancco LB, Avilés-Puma B, Roque-Guizada CE, Zevallo-Pollito PA, Velasquez-Giersch L, Herrera-Osorio AJ, Isuiza-Perez DD. Assessment the mental health of university students in the Peruvian Amazon: A cross-sectional study. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología. 2024;4:879. https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt2024879 Wilson H, Neufeld HT, Anderson K, Wehkamp C, Khoury DEl. Exploring indigenous undergraduate students’ experiences within urban and institutional food environments. Sustainability. 2021;13(18):10268. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810268 Innis JA, Bishop M, Boloudakis S. Food Insecurity and Community College Students. Community Coll J Res Pract. 2020;44(9):694-699. https://doi.org/10.1080/10668926.2019.1635541 Olauson C, Engler-Stringer R, Vatanparast H, Hanoski R. Student food insecurity: Examining barriers to higher education at the University of Saskatchewan. J Hunger Environ Nutr. 2018;13(1):19-27. https://doi.org/10.1080/19320248.2017.1393365 Bruening M. Argo K. Payne-Sturges D. Laska MN. The Struggle Is Real: A Systematic Review of Food Insecurity on Postsecondary Education Campuses. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2017;117(11):1767–1791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2017.05.022. Aguilar-Barojas S. Fórmulas Para El Cálculo de La Muestra En Investigaciones de Salud. Salud en Tabasco. 2005;11(1-2):333–338. Available from: https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/487/48711206.pdf Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). [Internet]. 2018 [cited 2020 Oct 15]. Available from: https://www.fao.org/policy-support/tools-and-publications/resources-details/en/c/1236494/ Fautsch-Macías Y, Glasauer P. Guidelines for assessing nutrition-related Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2020 Oct 15]. Available from: https://www.fao.org/4/i3545e/i3545e00.htm Cohen S, Kamarck T, Mermelstein R. A global measure of perceived stress. J Health Soc Behav. 1983; 24(4):385-396. https://doi.org/10.2307/2136404 Cázares F, Moral J. Diferencias sociodemográficas y de práctica profesional asociadas a estrés percibido entre dentistas colegiados de Monterrey. Avances en Psicología Latinoamericana. 2016;34(1):83-97. https://doi.org/10.12804/apl34.1.2016.06 Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Res. 1989;28(2):193-213. https://doi.org/10.1016/01651781(89)90047-4 World Health Organization. Overweight and obesity. [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Oct 25]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight Prieto-Rodríguez MA, March-Cerdá JC. Paso a paso en el diseño de un estudio mediante grupos focales. Aten Primaria. 2002;29(6):366–373. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0212-6567(02)70585-4 Onwuegbuzie AJ, Dickinson WB, Leech NL, Zoran AG. A Qualitative Framework for Collecting and Analyzing Data in Focus Group Research. Int J Qual Methods. 2009;8(3):1–21. https://doi.org/10.1177/160940690900800301 Glaser BG, Strauss AL. The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. New York: Routledge; 1999. Strauss AL, Corbin JM. Grounded theory in practice. United States: Sage Publications Inc; 1997. El Zein A, Shelnutt KP, Colby S, Vilaro MJ, Zhou W, Greene G, Olfert MD, Riggsbee K, Morrell JS, Mathews AE. Prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among U.S. college students: a multi-institutional study. BMC Public Health. 2019;19(1):660. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-69436 Mello JA, Gans KM, Risica PM, Kirtania U, Strolla LO, Fournier L. How Is Food Insecurity Associated with Dietary Behaviors? An Analysis with Low-Income, Ethnically Diverse Participants in a Nutrition Intervention Study. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110(12):1906-1911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jada.2010.09.011 Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas. Etnografía del pueblo seri (konkaak / comca'ac) de Sonora. [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2024 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.gob.mx/inpi/articulos/seris-konkaak Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo. Dieta, inseguridad alimentaria y estado de nutrición en la población indígena de Sonora. [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2024 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.ciad.mx/dieta-inseguridad-alimentaria-y-estado-de-nutricion-en-la-poblacion-indigena-de-sonora/ Escobar-Neira C. Soluciones articuladas a partir de las necesidades de las comunidades: Plan de Desarrollo Integral del Pueblo Seri (pueblo comcáac). PERSPECTIVAS IMTA. 2022;16:1-3. https://doi.org/10.24850/b-imta-perspectivas-2022-16 Instituto Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas. Etnografía del pueblo zapoteco del Istmo de Tehuantepec (Binnizá). [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2024 Jun 19]. Available from: https://www.gob.mx/inpi/articulos/etnografia-del-pueblo-zapoteco-del-istmo-de-tehuantepec-binniza Broton K, Weaver K, Mai M. Hunger in Higher Education: Experiences and Correlates of Food Insecurity among Wisconsin Undergraduates from Low-Income Families. Soc Sci. 2018;7(10):179. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci7100179 Honório OS, Mendes LL, Moreira CC, Araújo ML, Pessoa MC. Evolution of food deserts and food swamps in a Brazilian metropolis between 2008 and 2020. Cien Saude Colet. 2024;29(10). https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-812320242910.09582023
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Copyright (c) 2025 Jorge Luis García-Sarmiento, Edward A. Frongillo, Verónica López-Teros, María Olga Quintana-Zavala, Ilce Viviana López-Teposte, Trinidad Quizán-Plata (Author)
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