Adapting the USDA Food Security Survey Module for use with college students: Can we improve model fit?

Abstract

The USDA Food Security Survey Module (FSSM) is the gold standard for measuring food security; however, research suggests that college students may respond to FSSM items differently than the general population. Students may have a varied portfolio of food and financial resources (thus, complicating interpretations of “money”) to acquire food. We conducted a randomized control trial to test whether a preamble to address this issue improves model fit. Results indicated the preamble did not improve model fit, and students' responses deviated from expected patterns. More research could help understand these deviations and their implications for measuring FI on college campuses.