Association of food insecurity with depression severity, period poverty, and access to healthcare among college-aged women in South Florida

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to measure food insecurity levels in college-aged women attending a public university in South Florida and explore their role in exacerbating mental health issues, as well as the ability to afford sanitary products and medical treatments as needed. Bivariate analysis using Pearson’s χ2 and one-way analysis of variance assessed the relationship between demographic variables and each of the three food insecurity indicators were calculated. Binary logistic regressions assessed the relationship between the three food insecurity indicators and each of depression severity levels and menstrual health and access to healthcare services indicators, controlling for sociodemographic variables. Bivariate analysis showed significance between type of degree and each of three food insecurity indicators with undergraduate students reporting higher prevalence than graduate students for cutting meals (p