Student Well-Being and Food Access: Survey Findings on Stress, Health, and Academic Functioning

By: Ginger Feigenbaum, Seabreeze High School

This study explored the relationship between student well-being and food access through an independently designed survey conducted at a high school in collaboration with a faculty mentor. Thirty-six students completed an anonymous questionnaire examining food security, stress, fatigue, physical symptoms, concentration, attendance, and academic performance. While most respondents reported stable food access, elevated stress, fatigue, and physical discomfort were common, with many students noting difficulty concentrating or missing school due to feeling unwell. Despite these challenges, the majority reported strong academic performance, suggesting that achievement may coexist with significant strain. The participant group was drawn largely from an academically advanced cohort, which may reflect a population with greater socioeconomic stability. If repeated, expanding recruitment to include a broader and more diverse student population would strengthen representativeness and deepen insight into how food access affects well-being.