The purpose of the study was to examine the high school and collegiate household food security status of male collegiate athletes at The University of Mississippi. The main findings of this study were: 1) household food insecurity during the senior year of high school was
significantly correlated with preoccupation of food; 2) collegiate household food insecurity was significantly related to preoccupation with food and keep/hide food in their lockers; and 3) athletes’ high school household food security status was not significantly related to food consumption behaviors in high school.
In this present study, preoccupation with food was identified to be higher in participants who experienced food insecurity during both high school, and college. Participants who lived in collegiate households characterized by food insecurity was also significantly associated with keeping/hiding food in their lockers. Study findings are consistent with studies done in children. Specifically, eating in the absence of hunger and food sneaking/hiding/hoarding was positively associated with race/ethnicity and gender, with a higher prevalence in girls, (Sonneville et al., 2013). Among food insecure college students, they were likely to steal or trade items in
exchange for food (Hughes et al., 2011). Students living off campus, as well as those with higher spending on transportation, groceries and rent, were more food insecure than students living with family (Chaparro et al., 2008). For food insecure adults who are overweight and/or obese,
does become available has been reviewed (Academy, 2010).
Although this study showed significantly findings, study limitations warrant discussion. The primary limitation was the use of convenience sampling from a single university. Male collegiate athletes who participated were those who were available during data collection times, which aligned with peak lunch and dinner hours at the performance dining hall in the training facility. Focusing on athletes from one university also makes generalizability challenging. Related, sample size was inconsistent among sports with football and baseball being more greatly represented due to their team size, compared to golf and basketball. Another limitation was the use of self-report questionnaires. Accurate data requires participants to answer honestly. However, participants may underreport information to protect themselves or their families. Alternatively, they may have been unaware of food security issues in their home. Moreover, questions regarding participants living situation should have been asked to better assess living situation (e.g.) house vs. apartment; on vs. off campus) as this may have influenced their food security status. Finally, participants were asked to answer questions about hoarding and binge eating behaviors. Although the questions adapted from Sonneville et al. (2013) were beneficial, the use of validated measures may have strengthened the study’s findings and should be
considered in subsequent studies.
Further research is needed to include female collegiate athletes, which allow for a
comparison of behaviors by gender. In addition, conducting a larger study across several NCAA D1 Universities would improve the generalizability of findings. Moreover, including more
student athletes would increase sample size, further increasing generalizability. In addition, examining food security status in relation too not only reported eating behaviors, but also an inventory of household and/or foods stored in athletic lockers by the athlete is warranted.
Future research would need to examine the aforementioned, along with detailed
demographics, and specific times, types, and thoughts the athlete is engaging in during hoarding food behaviors. Identification of these would allow for interventions to reduce these types of behaviors. Currently, no interventions addressing these issues exist. An in depth examination of evidence-based interventions utilized in similar disordered eating habits would need to be
completed. For success, collaboration with other professions, such as clinical psychology, would serve as useful in the development of interventions for this population. Sports dietitians may also benefit from collaborating with the psychology department to develop recommendations for how sports dietitians can modify their nutrition counseling sessions with athletes who face food insecurity and disordered food behaviors. In fact, health and sport performance departments can also modify annual athletic screenings to include food security questions to assess new athletes and observe changes over time in competing athletes. Eventually, developing an NCAA-wide program for food security screening and related interventions would be beneficial.
Measures that can be implemented for students who may be experiencing high school food insecurity include screenings when students start high school. Utilizing dietetic students to counsel high school students on basic nutrition topics, such as nutrient timing, importance of eating breakfast, and how to choose healthy options in the lunchroom. It may be helpful to
provide seminars for parents on tips for healthy eating at home and shopping on a budget, as they are preparing most meals for their high school-aged children. Further, offering psychological and/or eating disorder recommendations to students facing food insecurity or experiencing disordered eating behaviors is warranted. Finally, partnering with child nutrition program directors in high school is vital to ensure that students and parents are aware of nutrition assistance programs available (e.g. national school lunch). Similarly, working with collegiate staff to ensure that athletes are provided with adequate resources for food is vital.
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Eating Habits Among Collegiate Athletes [Survey]
Completion of this survey is completely voluntary and may cease at any time. You may skip any questions that your not comfortable answering. No one will be able to identify you in any report resulting from this survey.
What sport do you play?
How old are you? Years
What is your gender? Male Female
What is your race? (Circle all that apply)
American Indian or Native Alaskan Asian Native Black or African American Hispanic/ Latino Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander White
Other (Please specify.)
What is your current marital status? (Circle one answer)
Married Widowed Divorced Separated Single/Never
Married
Where did/do you live?
My address during my senior year of high school:
My current address at Ole Miss:
Who lived/lives in your house? Please list each (examples: Mother, sibling, child, grandparent).
school. student or since August 2015 if continuing student.)
How many siblings do you have?
What number are you in the birth order?
Yes No
During your senior year of high school, was any member of your family in jail (who would have normally lived in your home)? (Circle one answer)
In the last 9-12 months, was any member of your family in jail (who would have normally lived in your home)? (Circle one answer) During your senior year of high school, did you or another person in your household smoke cigarettes or use tobacco?
At your Ole Miss household, do you or another person in your household smoke cigarettes or use tobacco?
These questions are about the food situation in your home during your childhood.
Often true
Sometimes
true Never true
During my childhood, in my family, the food that we bought just didn’t last, and we didn’t have money to get more.
During my childhood, in my family, we worried whether our food would run out before we got money to buy more.
These questions are about the food situation in your home during your senior year of high school.
Often true
Sometimes
true Never true
During my senior year of high school, in my family, the food that we bought just didn’t last, and we didn’t have money to get more.
During my senior year of high school, in my family, we worried whether our food would run out before we got money to buy more.
Often true
Sometimes
true Never true
During my senior year of high school, I worried whether my food would run out before my family got money to buy more. During my senior year of high school, the food that my family bought just didn’t last, and we didn’t have money to get more. During my senior year of high school, my family couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals.
During my senior year of high school, did you ever cut the size of your meals or skip meals because there wasn’t enough money for food?
Yes. Almost every month
Yes. Some months but not every month
Yes. Only 1 or 2
months No
During my senior year of high school, did you (personally) ever eat less than you felt you should because there wasn't enough money to buy food?
During my senior year of high school, were you (personally) ever hungry but didn't eat because you couldn't afford enough food?
During my senior year of high school, did you (personally) lose weight because you didn't have enough money for food?
During my senior year of high school, did (you/you or other adults in your household) ever not eat for a whole day because there wasn't enough money for food?
(Check one box only)
Yes. Almost every month
Yes. Some months but not every month
Yes. Only 1 or 2
months No
Yes No
During your senior year of high school, did you ever hide or keep food secretly in your locker?
During your senior year of high school, did you ever eat large amounts of food even when you were not hungry? During your senior year of high school, did you eat breakfast provided by the school?
During your senior year of high school, did you eat lunch provided by the school?
To the best of your knowledge, during your senior year of high school, did you or anyone in your household receive/participate in any of the following?
Yes No
Free or reduced-price school breakfast
Free or reduced-price school lunch
SNAP/Food Stamps
WIC
Free food from church, food pantry, or soup kitchen
These questions are about the food situation in your college residence at the present time [over the last 9-12 months, if you are a returning student (since August 2015)].
Often true
Sometimes
true Never true
In the last 9-12 months, I worried whether my food would run out before I got money to buy more.
In the last 9-12 months, the food that I bought just didn’t last, and I didn’t have money to get more.
In the last 9-12 months, I couldn’t afford to eat balanced meals.