{"id":{"repo_id":"venda","oai_identifier":"oai:univendspace.univen.ac.za:11602/3288"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/venda/oai:univendspace.univen.ac.za:11602/3288","repository":{"repo_id":"venda","name":"University of Venda","base_url":"https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/server/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Food security, academic performance and physical well-being amongst students at the University of Venda","abstract":"Introduction: Food insecurity remains a significant concern amongst university students, contributing to poor nutrition, reduced academic performance, and compromised physical well-being. Understanding this relationship is crucial for enhancing student outcomes and reducing inequalities in higher education. Aim: This study investigated the relationship between food security, academic performance, and physical well-being amongst students at the University of Venda. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional, stratified random sampling design. A total of 319 students, aged 18–23 years, residing both on and off campus, participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) summarised the data, while correlation and p-values tested the relationships amongst variables. Results: Males 53% and females 47%. Approximately 40,4% of students experienced some level of food insecurity, with 6,3% experiencing moderate food insecurity and 0,9% experiencing severe food insecurity. Most students 72,7% reported being physically healthy, though fewer engaged in regular exercise or maintained balanced diets. Academically, 84,3% demonstrated high motivation, and 79,3% reported effective collaboration; however, 45,8% felt overwhelmed by their workload. Weak positive correlations were observed between food security and both academic performance (ρ = 0.18) and physical well-being (ρ = 0.043), while a moderate relationship existed between academic performance and physical well-being (ρ = 0.429). Conclusion: Food insecurity has a detrimental impact on students’ academic and health outcomes. Institutional interventions promoting nutrition support and wellness programmes are essential to enhance student success and overall well-being.","abstract_html":"Introduction: Food insecurity remains a significant concern amongst university students, contributing to poor nutrition, reduced academic performance, and compromised physical well-being. Understanding this relationship is crucial for enhancing student outcomes and reducing inequalities in higher education. Aim: This study investigated the relationship between food security, academic performance, and physical well-being amongst students at the University of Venda. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional, stratified random sampling design. A total of 319 students, aged 18–23 years, residing both on and off campus, participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) summarised the data, while correlation and p-values tested the relationships amongst variables. Results: Males 53% and females 47%. Approximately 40,4% of students experienced some level of food insecurity, with 6,3% experiencing moderate food insecurity and 0,9% experiencing severe food insecurity. Most students 72,7% reported being physically healthy, though fewer engaged in regular exercise or maintained balanced diets. Academically, 84,3% demonstrated high motivation, and 79,3% reported effective collaboration; however, 45,8% felt overwhelmed by their workload. Weak positive correlations were observed between food security and both academic performance (ρ = 0.18) and physical well-being (ρ = 0.043), while a moderate relationship existed between academic performance and physical well-being (ρ = 0.429). Conclusion: Food insecurity has a detrimental impact on students’ academic and health outcomes. Institutional interventions promoting nutrition support and wellness programmes are essential to enhance student success and overall well-being.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Mathole, Mashaola First"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":["Mandiwana, T. C.","Chauke,"],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2026,"date_issued":"2026-05-19","date_published":"2026-05-19","updated_at":"2026-07-27T21:57:59Z","subjects":["Food security","Academic performance","Physical well-being","University students","South Africa","UCTD"],"languages":["en"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3288","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor.advisor","label":"Advisor","values":["Mandiwana, T. C.","Chauke,"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Mathole, Mashaola First"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date","label":"Dc Date","values":["2026"]},{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2026-06-23T06:00:18Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2026-06-23T06:00:18Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2026-05-19"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Dissertation"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Food security","Academic performance","Physical well-being","University students","South Africa","UCTD"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["en"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3288"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description","label":"Description","values":["M.Sc. in Nutrition","Department of Human Nutrition and Dietectics"]},{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Introduction: Food insecurity remains a significant concern amongst university students, contributing to poor nutrition, reduced academic performance, and compromised physical well-being. Understanding this relationship is crucial for enhancing student outcomes and reducing inequalities in higher education. Aim: This study investigated the relationship between food security, academic performance, and physical well-being amongst students at the University of Venda. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional, stratified random sampling design. A total of 319 students, aged 18–23 years, residing both on and off campus, participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) summarised the data, while correlation and p-values tested the relationships amongst variables. Results: Males 53% and females 47%. Approximately 40,4% of students experienced some level of food insecurity, with 6,3% experiencing moderate food insecurity and 0,9% experiencing severe food insecurity. Most students 72,7% reported being physically healthy, though fewer engaged in regular exercise or maintained balanced diets. Academically, 84,3% demonstrated high motivation, and 79,3% reported effective collaboration; however, 45,8% felt overwhelmed by their workload. Weak positive correlations were observed between food security and both academic performance (ρ = 0.18) and physical well-being (ρ = 0.043), while a moderate relationship existed between academic performance and physical well-being (ρ = 0.429). Conclusion: Food insecurity has a detrimental impact on students’ academic and health outcomes. Institutional interventions promoting nutrition support and wellness programmes are essential to enhance student success and overall well-being."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Food security, academic performance and physical well-being amongst students at the University of Venda"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor.advisor":["Mandiwana, T. C.","Chauke,"],"dc:creator":["Mathole, Mashaola First"],"dc:date":["2026"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2026-06-23T06:00:18Z"],"dc:date.available":["2026-06-23T06:00:18Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2026-05-19"],"dc:description":["M.Sc. in Nutrition","Department of Human Nutrition and Dietectics"],"dc:description.abstract":["Introduction: Food insecurity remains a significant concern amongst university students, contributing to poor nutrition, reduced academic performance, and compromised physical well-being. Understanding this relationship is crucial for enhancing student outcomes and reducing inequalities in higher education. Aim: This study investigated the relationship between food security, academic performance, and physical well-being amongst students at the University of Venda. Methodology: The study employed a cross-sectional, stratified random sampling design. A total of 319 students, aged 18–23 years, residing both on and off campus, participated in the study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) summarised the data, while correlation and p-values tested the relationships amongst variables. Results: Males 53% and females 47%. Approximately 40,4% of students experienced some level of food insecurity, with 6,3% experiencing moderate food insecurity and 0,9% experiencing severe food insecurity. Most students 72,7% reported being physically healthy, though fewer engaged in regular exercise or maintained balanced diets. Academically, 84,3% demonstrated high motivation, and 79,3% reported effective collaboration; however, 45,8% felt overwhelmed by their workload. Weak positive correlations were observed between food security and both academic performance (ρ = 0.18) and physical well-being (ρ = 0.043), while a moderate relationship existed between academic performance and physical well-being (ρ = 0.429). Conclusion: Food insecurity has a detrimental impact on students’ academic and health outcomes. Institutional interventions promoting nutrition support and wellness programmes are essential to enhance student success and overall well-being."],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3288"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:subject":["Food security","Academic performance","Physical well-being","University students","South Africa","UCTD"],"dc:title":["Food security, academic performance and physical well-being amongst students at the University of Venda"],"dc:type":["Dissertation"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-27T21:57:59Z"}