BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – A new study done at UAB shows the impact of food security on college student’s well-being.

Yenni Cedillo is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition Sciences. She said the study found over 45 percent of college students are food insecure. While it is not a new issue, the amount of students experiencing food insecurity is up from previous years.

The study looked into the connection between food insecurity, body mass index, diet habits, stress, and overall well-being. Students who reported being food insecure reported higher levels of stress. Many of which have a higher BMI. Cedillo said that is because they are consuming more sugar when they are stressed.

Cedillo says your diet is a powerful tool that may impact us more than we realize.

“It’s (diet) affected by culture, it’s affected by what we have available, it’s dependent on what’s around us and what we eat,” said Cedillo.

Cedillo is encouraging universities to take action in helping students who are experiencing food insecurity.

“The first thing is to recognize we have a problem. Second, is that we have resources available and the third is have we used the resources,” said Cedillo.

UAB’s Blazer Kitchen is attacking food insecurity. It’s a food pantry available to students and staff to help them get access to healthy foods. More information can be found here.

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