Research Article

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

Volume: 16 Number: 1 January 23, 2026
TR EN

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

Ethical Statement

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

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Nutrition and Dietetics (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

January 23, 2026

Submission Date

October 24, 2024

Acceptance Date

November 21, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 16 Number: 1

APA
Kişioğlu Kekeç, K., & Çalapkorur, S. (2026). Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality among University Students. Value in Health Sciences, 16(1), 17-24. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1572978
AMA
1.Kişioğlu Kekeç K, Çalapkorur S. Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality among University Students. VHS. 2026;16(1):17-24. doi:10.33631/sabd.1572978
Chicago
Kişioğlu Kekeç, Kübra, and Sema Çalapkorur. 2026. “Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality Among University Students”. Value in Health Sciences 16 (1): 17-24. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1572978.
EndNote
Kişioğlu Kekeç K, Çalapkorur S (January 1, 2026) Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality among University Students. Value in Health Sciences 16 1 17–24.
IEEE
[1]K. Kişioğlu Kekeç and S. Çalapkorur, “Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality among University Students”, VHS, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 17–24, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.33631/sabd.1572978.
ISNAD
Kişioğlu Kekeç, Kübra - Çalapkorur, Sema. “Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality Among University Students”. Value in Health Sciences 16/1 (January 1, 2026): 17-24. https://doi.org/10.33631/sabd.1572978.
JAMA
1.Kişioğlu Kekeç K, Çalapkorur S. Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality among University Students. VHS. 2026;16:17–24.
MLA
Kişioğlu Kekeç, Kübra, and Sema Çalapkorur. “Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality Among University Students”. Value in Health Sciences, vol. 16, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 17-24, doi:10.33631/sabd.1572978.
Vancouver
1.Kübra Kişioğlu Kekeç, Sema Çalapkorur. Evaluation of The Effect of Food Insecurity on Mental Health and Sleep Quality among University Students. VHS. 2026 Jan. 1;16(1):17-24. doi:10.33631/sabd.1572978