Financial problems associated with food insecurity among public university students in Peninsular Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2020-0032
- Author:
Nurulhudha Mohd Jamil
1
;
Norhasmah Sulaiman
1
,
2
;
Siti Nur’Asyura Adznam
3
,
4
;
Shamsul Azahari Zainal Badari
5
Author Information
1. Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor&
2. Research Centre of Excellence for Nutrition and Non-Communicable Disease, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor
3. Department of Dietetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor&
4. Malaysian Research Institute on Aging (MyAging), Universiti Putra Malaysia
5. Department of Resource Management and Consumer Studies, Faculty of Human Ecology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Food insecurity, financial literacy, financial problem, meal skipping, university students
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2020;26(No.3):411-423
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Food is a necessity for students. Yet, students’ food expenditure is
anticipated to be restrained by their financial status. This cross-sectional study
aims to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and its determinants among
university students attending public universities in Peninsular Malaysia. Methods:
Multistage random sampling was used to select respondents from public universities
in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 427 undergraduate students completed a selfadministered questionnaire at four randomly selected universities (Universiti
Utara Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaysia Pahang
and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia). The questionnaire consisted of information
concerning demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, food security status,
eating behaviour, financial literacy, and financial problem among university
students. Frequency, chi-square, and logistic regression were used to analyse the
variables. Results: Mean age of the respondents was 21.6 years, and 60.9% were
found to be food insecure. Gender (χ2=5.415), origin (χ2=3.871), number of siblings
(χ2=4.521), financial problem (χ2=42.364), and regular breakfast intake (χ2=5.654)
were associated with food security status (p<0.05). Male respondents had 1.5 times
(AOR=1.547, 95% CI: 1.006-2.380) the risk of having low food security status. Those
with higher financial problems (AOR=3.575, 95% CI: 2.332-5.481) were 3.5 times
more likely to be food insecure. Conclusion: The prevalence of food insecurity among
public university students in Peninsular Malaysia was significantly high. Thus,
intervention studies should focus on students with financial problems. Moreover,
establishing a better system for an on campus food pantry or food bank is needed to
counter the high prevalence of food insecurity among university students.
- Full text:4.2020my0511.pdf
