Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40682540›Full record

ArticleHealth promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals2025

A Qualitative Exploration of Food Insecurity and Institutional Support Among International Students at a Regional Australian University.

Kwun Ming Leung, Karen Charlton, Anne McMahon, Karen Walton, Rajshri Roy, Katherine Kent

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. A Qualitative Exploration of Food Insecurity and Institutional Support Among International Students at a Regional Australian University.Health promotion journal of Australia : official journal of Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Kwun Ming LeungSchool of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
Karen CharltonSchool of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
Anne McMahonSchool of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
Karen WaltonSchool of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2382-7855
Rajshri RoyDiscipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Katherine KentSchool of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5330-7044

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionFood insecurity among international students studying in Australian universities is a growing concern, but limited research has explored their experiences in regional contexts. This study explores food insecurity experiences among international students studying at a regional Australian university, focusing on challenges with food access and the effectiveness of available support services.

methodsStudent-led focus groups were employed to explore food insecurity experiences among a sample of international students. A semi-structured guide probed students about food access issues and perceptions of available support services, and student recommendations for improvement were explored. Audio recordings were transcribed, and data were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework.

resultsInternational students (n = 17) participated in four focus groups. Thematic analysis identified challenges affecting students' food security, including inadequate campus food options, the high cost of living, and a lack of culturally appropriate food choices in Australia. Students employed various coping strategies, such as using dietary supplements, meal prepping, and seeking discounted and/or frozen foods. International students encountered significant barriers to accessing support services, including inefficient pantry operations, perceived stigma, and poor communications about options. Based on these findings, participants suggested improvements in pantry management and expanded financial support for university students.

conclusionsThis study highlights the significant challenges and coping strategies related to food insecurity among international students at a regional Australian university. SO WHAT?: Our findings emphasise the urgent need for tailored, culturally appropriate interventions and improved communication strategies that support international students' agency in accessing healthy, appropriate food.

Indexed as

Food InsecurityFood SupplyStudentsAdaptation, PsychologicalAdolescentAdultAustraliaFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleQualitative ResearchUniversitiesYoung Adultfood insecurityinternational studentqualitativeuniversity student

Identifiers

PMID40682540
PMCPMC12275777

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.