University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division
Dietary Restrictions and Specialized Diets on College Campuses
Presenter Hometown
Whitesburg, Kentucky
Major
Anthropology
Department
Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Amanda Green
Mentor Department
Anthropology, Sociology, and Social Work
Recommended Citation
McAuley, Eli, "Dietary Restrictions and Specialized Diets on College Campuses" (2024). University Presentation Showcase Event. 3.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2024/undergraduate/3
Abstract
Although the number of people who eat a specialized diet (i.e. food allergy, vegan, religious diet, etc.) has been increasing with every new generation, there is a noticeable lack of literature about this community’s experiences on college campuses. In this project, I explore student perceptions of adequate food availability in Eastern Kentucky University’s on-campus dining options. I review published literature regarding students' perceptions and experiences with their specialized diets on college campuses within the U.S., and analyze findings from a survey and independent interviews to discover how EKU students with specialized diets interact with campus food options. Students consistently report a lack of satisfaction not only with the options available to them, but also often with the correspondence they hold with CASE dining hall after reaching out for accommodations. I conclude that a lack of food accommodation on the institutional level is a problem that needs to be addressed, with core tenets that campus can focus on being more comprehensive education outreach programs for accommodation options, and emphasizing thoroughness in responses to student concerns.
Presentation format
Poster
Dietary Restrictions and Specialized Diets on College Campuses
Although the number of people who eat a specialized diet (i.e. food allergy, vegan, religious diet, etc.) has been increasing with every new generation, there is a noticeable lack of literature about this community’s experiences on college campuses. In this project, I explore student perceptions of adequate food availability in Eastern Kentucky University’s on-campus dining options. I review published literature regarding students' perceptions and experiences with their specialized diets on college campuses within the U.S., and analyze findings from a survey and independent interviews to discover how EKU students with specialized diets interact with campus food options. Students consistently report a lack of satisfaction not only with the options available to them, but also often with the correspondence they hold with CASE dining hall after reaching out for accommodations. I conclude that a lack of food accommodation on the institutional level is a problem that needs to be addressed, with core tenets that campus can focus on being more comprehensive education outreach programs for accommodation options, and emphasizing thoroughness in responses to student concerns.
