Intersectional racial and gender inequalities in food insecurity across socioeconomic conditions among undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Food insecurity is a key social determinant of health and reflects structural social inequities. In this study we examined sociodemographic and economic factors associated with food insecurity among undergraduate students, with particular emphasis on the intersections of race, gender, income and household conditions. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey in 2020 with 1,143 students from a Brazilian public university using a structured questionnaire developed for this study. We assessed food insecurity using the short version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Variables included race, gender, age, per capita income and a household vulnerability indicator. We used multivariable logistic regression models with interaction terms to assess associations, and we employed equiplots to visualise disparities between groups. Overall, 46.0% of the students experienced food insecurity. Black students were more than three times as likely to be affected compared with White students (odds ratio = 3.24; 95% confidence interval: 1.92–5.45). Low income and high household vulnerability were also strongly associated with food insecurity, with particularly elevated risk among Black students living in highly vulnerable households. Equiplots indicated that low-income Black women were the most affected group. Food insecurity among undergraduate students reflects structural social inequities that intersecting systems of racism, gender and socioeconomic disadvantage shape. Addressing these disparities requires intersectional, equity-oriented public policies that integrate food and educational security for historically marginalised populations.