Matching Items (3)
Description
Background In the United States (US), first-year university students typically live on campus and purchase a meal plan. In general, meal plans allow the student a set number of meals per week or semester, or unlimited meals. Understanding how students’ use their meal plan, and barriers and facilitators to meal plan use, may help decrease nutrition-related issues.
Methods First-year students’ meal plan and residence information was provided by a large, public, southwestern university for the 2015-2016 academic year. A subset of students (n=619) self-reported their food security status. Logistic generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to determine if meal plan purchase and use were associated with food insecurity. Linear GEEs were used to examine several potential reasons for lower meal plan use. Logistic and Linear GEEs were used to determine similarities in meal plan purchase and use for a total of 599 roommate pairs (n=1186 students), and 557 floormates.
Results Students did not use all of the meals available to them; 7% of students did not use their meal plan for an entire month. After controlling for socioeconomic factors, compared to students on unlimited meal plans, students on the cheapest meal plan were more likely to report food insecurity (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.2, 4.1). In Fall, 26% of students on unlimited meal plans reported food insecurity. Students on the 180 meals/semester meal plan who used fewer meals were more likely to report food insecurity (OR=0.9, 95% CI=0.8, 1.0); after gender stratification this was only evident for males. Students’ meal plan use was lower if the student worked a job (β=-1.3, 95% CI=-2.3, -0.3) and higher when their roommate used their meal plan frequently (β=0.09, 99% CI=0.04, 0.14). Roommates on the same meal plan (OR=1.56, 99% CI=1.28, 1.89) were more likely to use their meals together.
Discussion This study suggests that determining why students are not using their meal plan may be key to minimizing the prevalence of food insecurity on college campuses, and that strategic roommate assignments may result in students’ using their meal plan more frequently. Students’ meal plan information provides objective insights into students’ university transition.
Methods First-year students’ meal plan and residence information was provided by a large, public, southwestern university for the 2015-2016 academic year. A subset of students (n=619) self-reported their food security status. Logistic generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to determine if meal plan purchase and use were associated with food insecurity. Linear GEEs were used to examine several potential reasons for lower meal plan use. Logistic and Linear GEEs were used to determine similarities in meal plan purchase and use for a total of 599 roommate pairs (n=1186 students), and 557 floormates.
Results Students did not use all of the meals available to them; 7% of students did not use their meal plan for an entire month. After controlling for socioeconomic factors, compared to students on unlimited meal plans, students on the cheapest meal plan were more likely to report food insecurity (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.2, 4.1). In Fall, 26% of students on unlimited meal plans reported food insecurity. Students on the 180 meals/semester meal plan who used fewer meals were more likely to report food insecurity (OR=0.9, 95% CI=0.8, 1.0); after gender stratification this was only evident for males. Students’ meal plan use was lower if the student worked a job (β=-1.3, 95% CI=-2.3, -0.3) and higher when their roommate used their meal plan frequently (β=0.09, 99% CI=0.04, 0.14). Roommates on the same meal plan (OR=1.56, 99% CI=1.28, 1.89) were more likely to use their meals together.
Discussion This study suggests that determining why students are not using their meal plan may be key to minimizing the prevalence of food insecurity on college campuses, and that strategic roommate assignments may result in students’ using their meal plan more frequently. Students’ meal plan information provides objective insights into students’ university transition.
Contributorsvan Woerden, Irene (Author) / Bruening, Meg (Thesis advisor) / Hruschka, Daniel (Committee member) / Schaefer, David (Committee member) / Vega-Lopez, Sonia (Committee member) / Adams, Marc (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2019
Description
There are issues at the Arizona State University Tempe campus with the culture of food and many of these issues stem from the dining halls. To determine the extent of this problem, our group conducted research on the Tempe campus through student surveys and in person discussions. What we found were limitations in both the healthy options and hours of operations at the dining halls. Students also showed general dissatisfaction with their diets. Our solution is the Devil Crate, a subscription box that conveniently delivers healthy food along with a personal touch. The recipes, health information and tips inside the subscription box are given to motivate students to eat healthy. We also realized that this solution could potentially solve another issue facing our community, which is food waste. The sustainably sourced food allows the price of Devil Crate to be lowered while eliminating the waste of produce. Once this solution was formulated, a test trial was conducted to measure the demand for such a product among students. The Devil Crate was produced, sold, and delivered to 2 students, both of whom were pleased and willing to recommend Devil Crate to others. The end goal is to incorporate Devil Crate into the meal plans to offer more options in this limited food environment and promote healthy eating among students.
ContributorsDemangone, Michael Richard (Co-author) / Pham, Emily (Co-author) / Anderson, Andrew (Co-author) / Van Vleck, Calista (Co-author) / Byrne, Jared (Thesis director) / Sebold, Brent (Committee member) / School of Human Evolution & Social Change (Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2020-05
Description
Objective: The main objective of this analysis is to review existing literature and data relating to student food choice. Little research has been conducted within the United States on factors that impact these food choices, specifically a much-overlooked college meal plans many university students participate in. A broader look at how all these influences fit together is necessary to fully understand how students make food choices.
Method: A cross-sectional review of existing research about student food choice was considered and sourced from recent articles in peer-reviewed journals. Specific areas of study identified as having an impact of food choice included meal plans, nutrition and diet quality, weight management, purchasing behavior, student knowledge, eating habits and food security. Each area was evaluated based on available research and how it may coincide with meal plans to affect student food choices. Recommendations for future studies were made regarding gaps in existing research.
Conclusion: There are several factors that influence student food choices and none that stand alone. These factors must instead be considered in conjunction with one another. The implication of meal plans is largely unknown, yet students across the country at different universities participate in them every year. Further research is needed on how meal plans may create a type of food desert or food insecurity for students who live on campus and depend on the meal plan. It is possible the meal plan not only restricts student options but those students who live on campus may be especially affected due to an inability to obtain healthy food after hours or on weekends.
Method: A cross-sectional review of existing research about student food choice was considered and sourced from recent articles in peer-reviewed journals. Specific areas of study identified as having an impact of food choice included meal plans, nutrition and diet quality, weight management, purchasing behavior, student knowledge, eating habits and food security. Each area was evaluated based on available research and how it may coincide with meal plans to affect student food choices. Recommendations for future studies were made regarding gaps in existing research.
Conclusion: There are several factors that influence student food choices and none that stand alone. These factors must instead be considered in conjunction with one another. The implication of meal plans is largely unknown, yet students across the country at different universities participate in them every year. Further research is needed on how meal plans may create a type of food desert or food insecurity for students who live on campus and depend on the meal plan. It is possible the meal plan not only restricts student options but those students who live on campus may be especially affected due to an inability to obtain healthy food after hours or on weekends.
ContributorsPetersburg, Amy Marie (Author) / Kingsbury, Jeffrey (Thesis director) / Bienenstock, Elisa (Committee member) / College of Health Solutions (Contributor, Contributor) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor)
Created2019-05