Food Insecurity, Oral Health, and Nutritional Status among University Students in Faisalabad, Pakistan
Food Insecurity and Oral Health in Pakistani Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66529/agripat.2026.2.2.66Keywords:
food insecurity, oral health, dietary behaviors, health outcomes, health problems, students’ nutritional status, affordable dental healthcareAbstract
Food insecurity and oral health problems are critical yet often separately addressed determinants of nutritional status among university students in low- and middle-income settings. This study investigates their combined effects on dietary behavior, health outcomes, and academic performance among 237 students in Faisalabad using a cross-sectional mixed methods design with strong internal reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.823). The findings indicate moderate levels of food insecurity (M = 2.43) alongside a notable oral health impact on nutrition (M = 2.66), suggesting a dual constraint on both food access and food utilization. Statistical analysis reveals significant associations between nutritional status and residential status (χ² = 16.72, p < 0.05), fatigue (χ² = 26.85, p < 0.01), concentration difficulties (χ² = 15.91, p < 0.05), academic performance (χ² = 17.69, p < 0.05), and access to on-campus food (χ² = 28.91, p < 0.01), while household income shows no significant effect (χ² = 9.43, NS). These results highlight that structural and institutional factors may outweigh purely economic ones in shaping student nutrition.
Importantly, oral health issues limit the consumption of nutrient-dense, fibrous foods, while food insecurity reduces overall dietary intake. Together, they form a synergistic “double burden” that compromises both physical health and academic outcomes. The study underscores the need for integrated university-level interventions, including subsidized meal programs, improved campus food environments, and accessible on-campus dental care services to address these intersecting challenges effectively.
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The data was collected by the author using a Google Form from university students and is available from the author upon reasonable request.
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