The campus food environment and postsecondary student diet: a systematic review

Olivia T Caruso; Holly N Schaafsma; Louise W McEachern; Jason A Gilliland

doi:10.1080/07448481.2023.2227725

The campus food environment and postsecondary student diet: a systematic review

J Am Coll Health. 2023 Jul 12:1-25. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2227725. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Olivia T Caruso^{1

2

3}, Holly N Schaafsma^{1

2

4}, Louise W McEachern^{1

2

3}, Jason A Gilliland^{1

2

3

5

6

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
² Children's Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
³ Department of Geography, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁴ School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁵ Department of Pediatrics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁶ School of Health Studies, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁷ Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
⁸ Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.

PMID: 37437204
DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2023.2227725

Abstract

Objective: Examine the impact of the campus food environment on postsecondary students' dietary behaviors (e.g., dietary intake) and food purchasing. Participants: Students currently attending a postsecondary institution, all ages and geographic locations included. Methods: A systematic search from January 2000-October 2022 was conducted in six databases using postsecondary education, food environment, and diet related keywords. Results: In total, 25 quantitative and 10 qualitative studies were extracted. All quantitative studies that conducted statistical analyses (n = 15) reported a statistically significant relationship between the campus food environment and dietary intake, including both positive and negative effects. All qualitative studies (n = 10) discussed students' experience of the campus food environment influencing their diet. Conclusions: This review found moderate evidence that the campus food environment has an impact on postsecondary students' dietary behaviors. A campus environment that has healthy foods accessible, affordable, and acceptable for postsecondary students may have a beneficial impact on students' dietary intake.

Keywords: Campus; diet; food environment; postsecondary; student.