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Food Insecurity and Student Absence in the US and across the Globe

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Title: Food Insecurity and Student Absence in the US and across the Globe
Language: English
Authors: Yusuf Canbolat (ORCID 0000-0002-9113-173X), David Rutkowski (ORCID 0009-0000-7550-8982), Leslie Rutkowski
Source: Educational Policy. 2026 40(5):595-625.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 31
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: Food, Hunger, Attendance, Global Approach, International Assessment, Foreign Countries, Achievement Tests, Secondary School Students, Student Experience
Geographic Terms: United States
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Program for International Student Assessment
DOI: 10.1177/08959048251382153
ISSN: 0895-9048
1552-3896
Abstract: Student absenteeism has increased in the U.S. and globally, while food insecurity remains a widespread challenge. This study examines the relationship between food insecurity and student absence using ecological systems theory and multilevel zero-inflated Poisson regression on data from approximately half a million students in 65 countries from the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Findings reveal a strong association between food insecurity and absenteeism, with the most food-insecure students missing school at significantly higher rates. In the U.S., a one-unit increase in food insecurity is linked to an 8% increase in absences, a consistent pattern internationally. While causality cannot be determined, results highlight food insecurity as a possible barrier to attendance and a broader indicator of economic hardship. Addressing food insecurity within and beyond school settings may mitigate absenteeism, particularly in nations with high levels of both challenges, such as the U.S.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1507960
Database: ERIC
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yusuf+Canbolat%22">Yusuf Canbolat</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9113-173X">0000-0002-9113-173X</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22David+Rutkowski%22">David Rutkowski</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7550-8982">0009-0000-7550-8982</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Leslie+Rutkowski%22">Leslie Rutkowski</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Educational+Policy%22"><i>Educational Policy</i></searchLink>. 2026 40(5):595-625.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Food%22">Food</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hunger%22">Hunger</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attendance%22">Attendance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Global+Approach%22">Global Approach</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22International+Assessment%22">International Assessment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Achievement+Tests%22">Achievement Tests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Students%22">Secondary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Experience%22">Student Experience</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+States%22">United States</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/08959048251382153
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  Data: 0895-9048<br />1552-3896
– Name: Abstract
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  Data: Student absenteeism has increased in the U.S. and globally, while food insecurity remains a widespread challenge. This study examines the relationship between food insecurity and student absence using ecological systems theory and multilevel zero-inflated Poisson regression on data from approximately half a million students in 65 countries from the 2022 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). Findings reveal a strong association between food insecurity and absenteeism, with the most food-insecure students missing school at significantly higher rates. In the U.S., a one-unit increase in food insecurity is linked to an 8% increase in absences, a consistent pattern internationally. While causality cannot be determined, results highlight food insecurity as a possible barrier to attendance and a broader indicator of economic hardship. Addressing food insecurity within and beyond school settings may mitigate absenteeism, particularly in nations with high levels of both challenges, such as the U.S.
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  Data: 2026
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        Value: 10.1177/08959048251382153
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 31
        StartPage: 595
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Food
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hunger
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attendance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Global Approach
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      – SubjectFull: International Assessment
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Achievement Tests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Experience
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      – SubjectFull: United States
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Program for International Student Assessment
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      – TitleFull: Food Insecurity and Student Absence in the US and across the Globe
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            NameFull: Leslie Rutkowski
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            – D: 01
              M: 07
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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            – TitleFull: Educational Policy
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