Food security status of Indonesian university students and its sociodemographic factors

Abstract:
Introduction: Food insecurity is increasingly recognised as a major challenge among university students, who are often more vulnerable than the general population. Limited evidence exists in low- and middle-income countries such as Indonesia, where rapid higher education expansion lacks parallel student welfare policies. This study aimed to assess the food security status among Indonesian
university students and examine its sociodemographic correlates.
Methods:
This was an online study among 850 students recruited via social media. Using the short-form Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM), food security was categorised into high (scores 0-1), low (scores 2-4), and very low (scores 5-6). The sociodemographic characteristics included age, gender, parental education, living arrangements, and living allowance usage (main meals, other meals, entertainment, transportation, and internet). Factors associated with food security were analysed using chi-square test, followed by logistic regression.
Results:
Only 32.5% of students were food secure, while 46.1% and 21.4% experienced low and very low food security, respectively; 10.4% were severely food insecure (score = 6). Living away from family increased the odds of food insecurity (AOR = 1.71; p=0.004), as did higher allowance use for main meals (AOR = 1.44; p=0.040). Conversely, spending on entertainment was associated with lower food insecurity (AOR = 0.59;p smaller 0.001), suggesting that only those with surplus funds could afford entertainment.
Conclusion:
These findings highlight the high prevalence of food insecurity among Indonesian university students, which underscores an urgent need for institutional and policy interventions targeting students living independently and facing financial constraints.