Prevalence and correlates of food insecurity among Bangladeshi university students: associations with psychological distress and academic performance—a cross-sectional study

Food insecurity among university students is a growing public health concern, especially in low-resource settings like Bangladesh. This study examines the association between food insecurity, psychological distress (depression, anxiety, stress), and academic performance among Bangladeshi university students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 397 students at Noakhali Science and Technology University. Food insecurity, the main exposure of interest, was measured using the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). The outcomes included psychological distress (measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and academic performance (assessed through self-reported GPA and academic challenges). Chi-square tests were used to identify bivariate associations, and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors, adjusted for socio-demographic covariates, including age, gender, income, residence, and faculty. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 27, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Food insecurity was prevalent among 65.5% of participants and was significantly associated with depression (χ2 = 5.359, p = 0.021), anxiety (χ2 = 22.811, p < 0.001), and stress (χ2 = 26.447, p < 0.001) in the bivariate analyses. However, in the adjusted models, food insecurity remained significantly associated with anxiety (AOR = 9.298, 95% CI = 3.573–24.193, p < 0.001) and stress (AOR = 2.260, 95% CI = 1.040–4.910, p = 0.040). Additionally, food insecurity was significantly associated with financial challenges (AOR = 16.289, 95% CI = 7.670–34.593, p < 0.001) and students’ academic grades (AOR = 4.365, 95% CI = 1.194–15.956, p = 0.026) in the adjusted models. The high prevalence of food insecurity among Bangladeshi university students was significantly associated with psychological distress and academic performance , highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Campus-based food assistance programs, financial aid, and accessible mental health services could mitigate these issues, enhancing student well-being and academic success.