Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Besin Güvencesizliğinin Mental Sağlık ve Uyku Kalitesi Üzerine Etkisinin Değerlendirilmesi

Year 2026, Volume: 16 Issue: 1, 17 - 24, 23.01.2026

Kübra Kişioğlu Kekeç , Sema Çalapkorur

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, üniversite öğrencilerinde besin güvencesizliği durumu ve bu durumun öğrencilerin mental sağlığı ve uyku kalitesi üzerine etkisini değerlendirmek amacıyla yürütülmüştür.
Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışma, Nevşehir ilinde bulunan Hünkâr Öğrenci Yurdunda gerçekleştirilmiştir. Öğrencilerin sosyodemografik özellikleri anket formu ile elde edilmiş ve antropometrik ölçümleri alınmıştır. Besin güvencesizliği ‘Hane Halkı Besine Ulaşılabilirlik Ölçeği Kısa Formu’; mental sağlık durumu ‘Warwick-Edinburg Mental İyi Oluş Ölçeği (WEMİOÖ)’ ve uyku kalitesi ‘Pittsburg Uyku Kalitesi İndeksi (PUKİ)’ ile değerlendirilmiştir. Öğrencilerin besin tüketimlerinin belirlenebilmesi için 3 günlük besin tüketim kayıtları alınmıştır.
Bulgular: Çalışma, %68,9’u kız ve %31,1’i erkek olmak üzere toplam 370 öğrencinin katılımı ile gerçekleştirilmiştir Öğrencilerin %42,7’sinde ise besin güvencesizliği mevcut iken; %33,5’inin besine erişmekte orta derecede problem yaşadığı ve %8,9’unun şiddetli besin güvencesizliği olduğu belirlenmiştir. Besin güvencesizliği ile mental sağlık puanı arasında negatif yönlü (r=-0,132; p<0,05), PUKİ skoru arasında ise pozitif yönlü ilişki olduğu tespit edilmiştir (r=0,219; p<0,05). Ayrıca besin güvencesi olmayan öğrencilerde enerji, yağ, A vitamini, karoten, K vitamini, sodyum, potasyum, magnezyum, fosfor, çinko tüketiminin besin güvencesi olanlardan daha az olduğu görülmüştür (p<0,05).
Sonuç: Üniversite öğrencilerinde besin güvencesizliği oranının yüksek olduğu ve bu durumun mental sağlık ve uyku kalitesi açısından olumsuz sonuçlara neden olduğu tespit edilmiştir.

Keywords

Besin güvencesizliği , mental sağlık , uyku kalitesi , üniversite öğrencileri

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma için Erciyes Üniversitesi Sosyal ve Beşeri Bilimler Etik Kurulu'ndan onay alınmıştır (28.12.2021 tarihli).

Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality among University Students

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to evaluate food insecurity among university students and its impact on students' mental health and sleep quality.
Material and Methods: The study was carried out in the Hünkâr Student Dormitory located in Nevşehir. Sociodemographic characteristics of the students were obtained through a survey form and anthropometric measurements were taken. Food insecurity was assessed with the 'Household Food Accessibility Scale Short Form'; mental health status with the 'Warwick- Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMIOS)' and sleep quality was evaluated with the 'Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)'. In order to determine the students' nutritional consumption, three-day food consumption records were taken.
Results: The study was conducted with the participation of a total of 370 students, 68.9% of whom were girls and 31.1% of whom were boys. While 42.7% of the students have food insecurity; it was determined that 33.5% had moderate problems in accessing food and 8.9% had severe food insecurity. It was determined that there was a negative relationship between food insecurity and mental health score (r=-0.132; p<0.05), and a positive relationship between PSQI score (r=0.219; p<0.05). At the same time, it was observed that the consumption of energy, fat, vitamin A, carotene, vitamin K, sodium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc in students without food security was less than those with food security (p<0.05).
Conclusion: It has been determined that the rate of food insecurity is high among university students and that this situation causes negative consequences in terms of mental health and sleep quality.

Keywords

Food insecurity , mental health , sleep quality , university students

Ethical Statement

For this study, approval was obtained from the Erciyes University Social and Human Sciences Ethics Committee (dated 28.12.2021).

References

• 1. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Policy brief: Food security-changing policy concepts of food security [Internet]. FAO; 2006 Jun 30 [cited 2023 Nov 30]. Available from: https://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/faoitaly/documents/pdf/pdf_Food_Security_Cocept_Note.pdf
• 2. USDA ERS. Food Security in the U.S.-measurement [Internet]. U.S.A: U.S. Department of Agriculture; 2022 Oct 17; [cited 2023 Nov 30]. Available from: https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/measurement/
• 3. FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP and WHO. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World. Urbanization, agrifood systems transformation and healthy diets across the rural-urban continuum. 2023; [cited 2023 Nov 30]. Available from: https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3017en
• 4. Brandt EJ, Chang T, Leung C, Ayanian JZ, Nallamothu BK. Food insecurity among individuals with cardiovascular disease and cardiometabolic risk factors across race and ethnicity in 1999-2018. JAMA Cardiol. 2022;7(12):1218-26. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2022.3729.
• 5. Fang D, Thomsen MR, Nayga RM. The association between food insecurity and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health. 2021;21(1):607. doi:10.1186/s12889-021-10631-0.
• 6. Gyasi RM, Asamoah E, Gyasi-Boadu N, Zornu O, Asiki G, Phillips DR. Food insecurity and sleep quality among older adults: Findings from a population-based study in Ghana. Maturitas. 2022;157:27-33. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2021.10.011
• 7. Morales ME, Berkowitz SA. The relationship between food insecurity, dietary patterns, and obesity. Curr Nutr Rep. 2016;5(1):54-60. doi:10.1007/s13668-016-0153-y.
• 8. Fenton S, Burrows TL, Skinner JA, Duncan MJ. The influence of sleep health on dietary intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis of intervention studies. J Hum Nutr Diet. 2021;34(2):273-85.
• 9. Wattick RA, Hagedorn RL, Olfert MD. Relationship between diet and mental health in a young adult appalachian college population. Nutrients. 2018;10(8):957. doi:10.3390/nu10080957.
• 10. Adamovic E, Newton P, House V. Food insecurity on a college campus: prevalence, determinants, and solutions. J Am Coll Health. 2022;70(1):58-64. doi:10.1080/07448481.2020.1725019.
• 11. Frank ML, Sprada GB, Hultstrand KV, West CE, Livingston JA, Sato AF. Toward a deeper understanding of food insecurity among college students: examining associations with emotional eating and biological sex. J Am Coll Health. 2023;71(5):1463-71. doi:10.1080/07448481.2021.1936536.
• 12. Hattangadi N, Vogel E, Carroll LJ, Côté P. "Everybody I Know Is Always Hungry...But Nobody Asks Why": University students, food insecurity and mental health. Sustainability. 2019;11(6):1571. doi:10.3390/su11061571.
• 13. Deshpande S, Basil MD, Basil DZ. Factors influencing healthy eating habits among college students: an application of the health belief model. Health Mark Q. 2009;26(2):145-64. doi:10.1080/07359680802619834.
• 14. Becerra MB, Bol BS, Granados R, Hassija C. Sleepless in school: The role of social determinants of sleep health among college students. J Am Coll Health. 2020;68(2):185-91. doi:10.1080/07448481.2018.1538148.
• 15. Martinez SM, Frongillo EA, Leung C, Ritchie L. No food for thought: Food insecurity is related to poor mental health and lower academic performance among students in California's public university system. J Health Psychol. 2020;25(12):1930-9. doi:10.1177/1359105318783028.
• 16. Hagedorn RL, Olfert MD, MacNell L, Houghtaling B, Hood LB, Savoie Roskos MR, et al. College student sleep quality and mental and physical health are associated with food insecurity in a multi-campus study. Public Health Nutr. 2021;24(13):4305-12. doi:10.1017/S1368980021001191.
• 17. Blumberg SJ, Bialostosky K, Hamilton WL, Briefel RR. The effectiveness of a short form of the Household Food Security Scale. Am J Public Health. 1999;89(8):1231-4. doi:10.2105/ajph.89.8.1231.
• 18. Öztürk Emiral G, Onsuz MF, Metintaş S. Evaluation of validity-reliability of Turkish version of the household food security survey short form. J Clin Anal Med [Internet]. 2017[cited 2026 Jan 20];1-5. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/322231995_evaluation_of_validity-reliability_of_turkish_version_of_the_household_food_security_survey_short_form
• 19. Ağargün MY, Kara H, Anlar Ö. The validity and reliability of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Turk J Psychiatry. 1996;7(2):107-15.
• 20. Buysse DJ, Reynolds CF, Monk TH, Berman SR, Kupfer DJ. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research. Psychiatry Res. 1989;28(2):193-213. doi:10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4.
• 21. Tennant R, Hiller L, Fishwick R, Platt S, Joseph S, Joseph S, Weich S, et al. The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS): development and UK validation. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2007;5:63. doi:10.1186/1477-7525-5-63.
• 22. Kendal G. Turkish version of Warwick-Edinburgh Mental well-being scale: validity and reliability study. J Happiness Well-Being. 2015;3(1):103-15. (in Turkish).
• 23. Wooten R, Spence M, Colby S, Steeves EA. Assessing food insecurity prevalence and associated factors among college students enrolled in a university in the Southeast USA. Public Health Nutr. 2019;22:383-90. doi:10.1017/S1368980018003531.
• 24. Morris LM, Smith S, Davis J, Null DB. The prevalence of food security and insecurity among illinois university students. J Nutr Educ Behav. 2016;48(6):376-82.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2016.03.013.
• 25. Zigmont V, Linsmeier A, Gallup P. Understanding the why of college student food insecurity. J Hunger Environ Nutr. 2021;16:595-610. doi:10.1080/19320248.2019.1701600.
• 26. Ashe KM, Lapane KL. Food insecurity and obesity: exploring the role of social support. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2018;27(5):651-8. doi:10.1089/jwh.2017.6454.
• 27. Atiqah AN, Norazmir MN, Anuar MK, Fahmi MM, Norazlanshah H. Food security status: it's association with inflammatory marker and lipid profile among young adult. Int Food Res J. 2015;22(5):1855-63.
• 28. Taylor EA, Foster JS, Mobley AR. Examining factors related to the food insecurity-obesity paradox in low-income mothers and fathers. Food Nutr Bull. 2021;42(2): 309-16. doi:10.1177/03795721211011133.
• 29. Stowers KC, Marfo NYA, Gurganus EA, Gans KM, Kumanyika SK, Schwartz MB. The hunger-obesity paradox: Exploring food banking system characteristics and obesity inequities among food-insecure pantry clients. PLOS ONE 2020;15:e0239778. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0239778.
• 30. Larson N, Laska MN, Neumark-Sztainer D. Food insecurity, diet quality, home food availability, and health risk behaviors among emerging adults: Findings from the EAT 2010-2018 Study. Am J Public Health. 2020;110(9):1422-8. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2020.305783.
• 31. Jones AD. Food insecurity and mental health status: a global analysis of 149 countries. Am J Prev Med. 2017;53(2):264-73. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2017.04.008.
• 32. Reeder N, Tapanee P, Persell A, Tolar-Peterson T. Food insecurity, depression, and race: correlations observed among college students at a university in the Southeastern United States. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17:8268. doi:10.3390/ijerph17218268.
• 33. Coffino JA, Spoor SP, Drach RD, Hormes JM. Food insecurity among graduate students: prevalence and association with depression, anxiety and stress. Public Health Nutr. 2021;24(7):1889-94. doi:10.1017/S1368980020002001.
• 34. Muscaritoli M. The impact of nutrients on mental health and well-being: insights from the literature. Front. Nutr. 2021;8:656290. doi:10.3389/fnut.2021.656290.
• 35. Grajek M, Krupa-Kotara K, Białek-Dratwa A, Sobczyk K, Grot M, Kowalski O, et al. Nutrition and mental health: A review of current knowledge about the impact of diet on mental health. Front. Nutr. 2022;9:943998. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.943998.
• 36. Martinez SM, Grandner MA, Nazmi A, Canedo ER, Ritchie LD. Pathways from food insecurity to health outcomes among California University students. Nutrients. 2019;11(6):1419. doi:10.3390/nu11061419.
• 37. Haskett ME, Majumder S, Kotter- Grühn D, Gutierrez I. The role of university students' wellness in links between homelessness, food insecurity, and academic success. J Soc Distress Homeless. 2021;30:59-65. doi:10.1080/10530789.2020.1733815.
• 38. Olorunmoteni OE, Fehintola FO, Seun-Fadipe C, Komolafe MA, Mosaku KS. Sleep quality and its relationship with school schedules and mental health of Nigerian secondary school adolescents. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023:19(11):1895-904. doi:10.5664/jcsm.10708.
• 39. Foo JK, Doan T. The impact of sleep quality on mental health in working Australians: a quasi-experimental approach. Soc Sci Med. 2023;329:116039. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116039.
• 40. Hashimoto A, Inoue H, Kuwano T. Low energy intake and dietary quality are associated with low objective sleep quality in young Japanese women. Nutr Res. 2020;80:44-54. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2020.06.002.
• 41. Matsunaga T, Nishikawa K, Adachi T, Yasuda K. Associations between dietary consumption and sleep quality in young Japanese males. Sleep Breath. 2021;25(1):199-206. doi:10.1007/s11325-020-02077-2.