Examining the Effect of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Enrollment on Food Insecurity in College Students

<b>Objectives</b>. This purpose of this research was to determine the prevalence of food insecurity and SNAP enrollment, and the effect of SNAP enrollment on food security students at Middle Tennessee State University. <br><b>Methods</b>. 402 participants were screened for SNAP eligibility, receipt of SNAP benefits, and level of food security based on the USDA 6-item short form. One-proportion z-scores, binary logistic regression, and univariate ANCOVA were utilized to determine prevalence of food insecurity and SNAP enrollment and the effect of SNAP participation on food security levels. <br><b>Results</b>. It was estimated that 54.0% of students at MTSU are food insecure. Students surveyed were 71.65% less likely to be receiving SNAP benefits than other eligible Tennessee residents. Students enrolled in SNAP were 45.9% less likely to experience very low food security compared to students that did not receive SNAP benefits, OR = 0.541, 95% CI [0.169, 1.736], p = 0.302. Results also indicated that students enrolled in SNAP had Rasch food security scores that were approximately 11.9% lower than food insecure students that were not enrolled in SNAP, F (1, 190) = 3.391, p = .067. <br><b>Conclusions</b>. Compared to Tennessee adults, MTSU students were 4.6 times, or 360%, more likely to experience food insecurity, and significantly less likely to be enrolled in the SNAP program. For those that were enrolled, this research has shown that receiving SNAP benefits in college may improve food security.