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Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood

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A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2018) | Viewed by 167809

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Dr. Melinda J. Hutchesson

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Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
Interests: young adults; eHealth; public health interventions; maternal health
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Dear Colleagues,

Young adults (18–35 years) are on a weight gain trajectory, which is placing them at increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Poor dietary behaviours among young adults, including low intake of fruit and vegetables, and high intake of foods prepared outside the home, and sugar-sweetened beverages, are key factors contributing to this weight gain trajectory. Young adulthood however is a transitional life stage including many significant life changes, such as leaving the family home, commencing university or entering the workforce. Therefore, there are potentially many factors influencing young adults eating habits, and our ability to intervene to improve them.

Dr. Melinda J. Hutchesson
Guest Editor

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Keywords

Food intake and dietary behaviour of young adults
Determinants of dietary behaviours and weight gain in young adults
Interventions aiming to improve dietary behaviours among young adults
Measuring dietary behaviours in young adults

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 267 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Image-Based Dietary Assessment and Tailored Feedback Using Mobile Technology: Mediating Behavior Change in Young Adults

by Charlene L. Shoneye, Satvinder S. Dhaliwal, Christina M. Pollard, Carol J. Boushey, Edward J. Delp, Amelia J. Harray, Peter A. Howat, Melinda J. Hutchesson, Megan E. Rollo, Fengqing Zhu, Janine L. Wright, Iain S. Pratt, Jonine Jancey, Rhiannon E. Halse, Jane A. Scott, Barbara Mullan, Clare E. Collins and Deborah A. Kerr

Nutrients 2019, 11(2), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020435 - 19 Feb 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4846

Abstract

Assessing the implementation of nutrition interventions is important to identify characteristics and dietary patterns of individuals who benefit most. The aim was to report on young adults’ experiences of receiving dietary feedback text messaging intervention. Diet was captured using an image-based 4-day mobile food record^TM application (mFR^TM) and assessed to formulate two tailored feedback text messages on fruit and vegetables and energy-dense nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods and beverages. At 6-months 143 participants completed a second mFR^TM and a questionnaire evaluating the dietary feedback. Participants who agreed the text messages made them think about how much vegetables they ate were more likely to increase their intake by at least half a serve than those who disagreed [odds ratio (OR) = 4.28, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.76 to 10.39]. Those who agreed the text messages made them think about how much EDNP foods they ate, were twice as likely to decrease their intake by over half a serve (OR = 2.39, 95%CI: 1.12 to 5.25) than those who disagreed. Undertaking detailed dietary assessment ensured the tailored feedback was constructive and relevant. Personal contemplation about vegetable and EDNP food intake appears to be a mediator of dietary change in young adults. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

17 pages, 1177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Socioeconomic Disadvantage across the Life Course Is Associated with Diet Quality in Young Adulthood

by Erin L. Faught, Lindsay McLaren, Sharon I. Kirkpatrick, David Hammond, Leia M. Minaker, Kim D. Raine and Dana Lee Olstad

Nutrients 2019, 11(2), 242; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11020242 - 22 Jan 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4507 | Correction

Abstract

Socioeconomic position (SEP) is a key determinant of diet quality across the life course. Young adulthood is a unique period of transition where dietary inequities between groups with lower and higher SEP may widen. This study investigated associations between SEP in both childhood and young adulthood and diet quality in young adulthood. Data from 1949 Canadian young adults aged 18–30 who participated in the Canada Food Study were analyzed. Healthy Eating Index–2015 (HEI-2015) scores were calculated based on one 24-hour dietary recall. Childhood and young adult SEP were represented by self-report of participants’ parent(s)’ and their own highest educational level, respectively. Linear regression was used to examine associations between childhood and adult SEP and adult HEI-2015 score. Mediation analyses examined whether adult SEP mediated the relationship between childhood SEP and adult HEI-2015 score. Lower SEPs in childhood and adulthood were each associated with lower HEI-2015 scores in young adulthood. Adult SEP mediated up to 13.0% of the association between childhood SEP and adult HEI-2015 scores. Study findings provide support for key life course hypotheses and suggest latent, pathway, and cumulative effects of SEP across the early life course in shaping the socioeconomic patterning of diet quality in young adulthood. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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16 pages, 420 KiB

Open AccessArticle

College Students and Eating Habits: A Study Using An Ecological Model for Healthy Behavior

by Giovanni Sogari, Catalina Velez-Argumedo, Miguel I. Gómez and Cristina Mora

Nutrients 2018, 10(12), 1823; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10121823 - 23 Nov 2018

Cited by 273 | Viewed by 82903

Abstract

Overweightness and obesity rates have increased dramatically over the past few decades and they represent a health epidemic in the United States (US). Unhealthy dietary habits are among the factors that can have adverse effects on weight status in young adulthood. The purpose of this explorative study was to use a qualitative research design to analyze the factors (barriers and enablers) that US college students perceived as influencing healthy eating behaviors. A group of Cornell University students (n = 35) participated in six semi-structured focus groups. A qualitative software, CAQDAS Nvivo11 Plus, was used to create codes that categorized the group discussions while using an Ecological Model. Common barriers to healthy eating were time constraints, unhealthy snacking, convenience high-calorie food, stress, high prices of healthy food, and easy access to junk food. Conversely, enablers to healthy behavior were improved food knowledge and education, meal planning, involvement in food preparation, and being physically active. Parental food behavior and friends’ social pressure were considered to have both positive and negative influences on individual eating habits. The study highlighted the importance of consulting college students when developing healthy eating interventions across the campus (e.g., labeling healthy food options and information campaigns) and considering individual-level factors and socio-ecological aspects in the analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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11 pages, 569 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diet Quality through Adolescence and Early Adulthood: Cross-Sectional Associations of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet Index and Component Food Groups with Age

by Eleanor M. Winpenny, Stephanie Greenslade, Kirsten Corder and Esther M. F. Van Sluijs

Nutrients 2018, 10(11), 1585; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111585 - 29 Oct 2018

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5224

Abstract

Late adolescence to early adulthood is the period of life when prevalence of overweight and obesity rises the fastest, and an important time to understand changes in dietary risk factors. In this study we assess the variation in diet quality through analysis of cross-sectional data from 2957 individuals aged 13 to 30 from the National Diet and Nutrition Study (2008–2016). Diet data were self-reported using four-day food diaries and coded to give diet quality using the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) index (range 0–80) and DASH component food groups (grams/day). The mean DASH index score was low at 34.8 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 34.3–35.4). The regression of diet quality score and food groups on age categories revealed no significant change in diet quality score with age category in males, but an improved diet quality score among females aged 19–21 (β = 2.04, 95% CI = 0.05–4.02), 25–27 (β = 3.77, 95% CI = 1.36–6.18) and 28–30 (β = 2.39, 95% CI = 0.53–4.26), compared to age 13–15. Both sexes showed increased vegetable intake with age. Dairy intake was lower in early adult ages among males, while in females there was an increase in the proportion of low-fat dairy consumed with age. Further research should address the determinants of changes in diet in early adulthood to provide evidence for the targeting of public health policy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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16 pages, 620 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling of Students’ Dietary Intentions/Behaviors, BMI, and the Healthfulness of Convenience Stores

by Tanya Horacek, Elif Dede Yildirim, Kendra Kattelmann, Carol Byrd-Bredbenner, Onikia Brown, Sarah Colby, Geoffrey Greene, Sharon Hoerr, Tandalayo Kidd, Mallory Koenings, Jesse Morrell, Melissa D. Olfert, Beatrice Phillips, Karla Shelnutt and Adrienne White

Nutrients 2018, 10(11), 1569; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10111569 - 23 Oct 2018

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 5306

Abstract

Background: When dietary behaviors are habitual, intentions are low, and environmental cues, such as the consumer food environment, might guide behavior. How might intentions to eat healthily and ultimately actual dietary behaviors, be influenced by the consumer food environment (including the availability and affordability of healthy foods) in convenience stores? This study will determine pathways between the healthfulness of convenience stores and college students’ dietary intentions/behaviors, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Through multilevel structural equation modeling, a comparison was made of students’ healthful meal intentions (HMI); intake (fruits/vegetables, %kcal/fat, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and whole-grains); and measured BMI; as well as the healthfulness of convenience stores (fruits/vegetables availability/quality, healthy food availability/affordability). Data was collected on 1401 students and 41 convenience stores across 13 US college campuses. Results: Controlling for gender, HMI was negatively associated with SSBs (β = −0.859) and %kcal/fat (β = −1.057) and positively with whole-grains (β = 0.186) and fruits/vegetables intake (β = 0.267); %Kcal/fat was positively (β = 0.098) and fruits/vegetables intake (β = −0.055) negatively associated with BMI. Campus level, fruits/vegetables availability were positively associated to HMI (β = 0.214, β = 0.129) and directly/negatively to BMI (β = −2.657, β = −1.124). Conclusions: HMI modifies dietary behaviors, with energy from fat and fruit/vegetable intake the most predictive of weight. Availability of fruit/vegetables in convenience stores make it easier for young adults to eat well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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15 pages, 482 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Examining Associations between Body Mass Index in 18–25 Year-Olds and Energy Intake from Alcohol: Findings from the Health Survey for England and the Scottish Health Survey

by Viviana Albani, Jennifer Bradley, Wendy L. Wrieden, Stephanie Scott, Cassey Muir, Christine Power, Niamh Fitzgerald, Martine Stead, Eileen Kaner and Ashley J. Adamson

Nutrients 2018, 10(10), 1477; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10101477 - 10 Oct 2018

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4991

Abstract

Evidence on the relationship between alcohol consumption and body mass index (BMI) is mixed, particularly for young adults. This study explored the relationship between energy obtained from alcoholic beverages and BMI using data for 18–25 year-olds (n = 7691) from pooled cross-sections of the 2008–2014 Health Survey for England and the Scottish Health Survey. Energy obtained from alcoholic beverages (excluding mixers) on the heaviest drinking day in the past week was expressed as percentage of total recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of energy (% RDA Energy). Linear regressions were estimated of BMI on alcohol intake categories controlling for intake frequency, physical activity, longstanding illness and other covariates, with separate analyses for men and women, and by beverage type. Significant associations with BMI were observed with the ‘Very High’ category of alcohol intake (>75% RDA Energy) for men (p < 0.001, 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.98, 2.49) and with the “High” (>50% to 75% RDA Energy) (p < 0.001, 1.67, 95% CI 0.26, 2.58) and above category for women, when compared with the Low (>0–25% RDA Energy) category. Young adults drinking the highest levels of alcohol on a single occasion were more likely to be obese than those with the lowest intake. Interventions to address internationally rising youth obesity rates should also consider reducing alcohol consumption by increasing alcohol prices, and reducing availability and marketing exposure. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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16 pages, 396 KiB

Open AccessArticle

‘Buying Salad Is a Lot More Expensive than Going to McDonalds’: Young Adults’ Views about What Influences Their Food Choices

by Eloise Howse, Catherine Hankey, Margaret Allman-Farinelli, Adrian Bauman and Becky Freeman

Nutrients 2018, 10(8), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10080996 - 30 Jul 2018

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 17418

Abstract

Young adults (18–30 years of age) are an ‘at-risk’ group for poor dietary behaviours and less healthy food choices. Previous research with young adults has looked at the barriers and enablers driving their food choices, focusing primarily on university and college students. However, there is less research using qualitative methods with young adults as a broader population group. This study aimed to explore the experiences of young adults in two different yet similar settings: Sydney, Australia and Glasgow, Scotland. Eight focus groups of young adult participants, ranging in size from 2–6 participants, were held in Sydney, Australia (n = 14) and Glasgow, Scotland (n = 16) to discuss, explore and compare the determinants and influences of their food choices. Focus group transcripts were coded thematically based on a process of narrative analysis. Three major narratives were identified across both locations: value of food; appeal of food; and emotional connections with food. These narratives were underpinned by a broader narrative of ‘performing adulthood.’ This narrative reflected a belief amongst participants that they should make rational, informed choices about food despite this conflicting with their broader food environment. Future research could examine which environment-level or policy-based interventions are most acceptable to young adults in terms of influencing their food choices and dietary behaviours. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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13 pages, 300 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cross-Sectional Associations between Dietary Fat-Related Behaviors and Continuous Metabolic Syndrome Score among Young Australian Adults

by Yile Sun, Costan G. Magnussen, Terence Dwyer, Wendy H. Oddy, Alison J. Venn and Kylie J. Smith

Nutrients 2018, 10(8), 972; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10080972 - 26 Jul 2018

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 7489

Abstract

Dietary guidelines recommend removing visible fat from meat, choosing low-fat options and cooking with oil instead of butter. This study examined cross-sectional associations between fat-related eating behaviors and a continuous metabolic syndrome (cMetSyn) score among young adults. During 2004–2006, 2071 participants aged 26–36 years reported how often they trimmed fat from meat, consumed low-fat dairy products and used different types of fat for cooking. A fasting blood sample was collected. Blood pressure, weight and height were measured. To create the cMetSyn score, sex-specific principal component analysis was applied to normalized risk factors of the harmonized definition of metabolic syndrome. Higher score indicates higher risk. For each behavior, differences in mean cMetSyn score were calculated using linear regression adjusted for confounders. Analyses were stratified by weight status (Body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m² or ≥ 25 kg/m²). Mean cMetSyn score was positively associated with consumption of low-fat oily dressing (P_Trend = 0.013) among participants who were healthy weight and frequency of using canola/sunflower oil for cooking (P_Trend = 0.008) among participants who were overweight/obese. Trimming fat from meat, cooking with olive oil, cooking with butter, and consuming low-fat dairy products were not associated with cMetSyn score. Among young adults, following fat-related dietary recommendations tended to not be associated with metabolic risk. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

Review

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26 pages, 1585 KiB

Open AccessReview

Effectiveness of Interventions and Behaviour Change Techniques for Improving Dietary Intake in Young Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of RCTs

by Lee M. Ashton, Thomas Sharkey, Megan C. Whatnall, Rebecca L. Williams, Aaron Bezzina, Elroy J. Aguiar, Clare E. Collins and Melinda J. Hutchesson

Nutrients 2019, 11(4), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11040825 - 11 Apr 2019

Cited by 59 | Viewed by 10475

Abstract

Poor eating habits are common during young adulthood and influence chronic disease morbidity. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of interventions aiming to improve dietary intake among young adults and, identifies which behaviour change techniques (BCTs) are most effective. Six electronic databases were searched for RCTs published until October 2018, and evaluating behavioural interventions assessing change in dietary intake in young adults (17–35 years). Of the 18,779 articles identified, 54 were included. Forty studies focused on fruit and/or vegetable intake, of which 63% showed a significant between-group difference in favour of the intervention group. Meta-analysis (n = 17) demonstrated a significant increase in fruit and vegetable intake of +68.6 g/day after three months of intervention and +65.8 g/day for interventions >3 months when compared to control. A meta-analysis (n = 5) on total energy intake found no significant differences between groups. The BCTs with the highest effectiveness ratio were habit formation (100%), salience of consequences (83%) and adding objects to the environment (70%). The review highlights the potential of behavioural interventions to improve young adults’ fruit and vegetable intake but was less convincing for other dietary outcomes. Due to the lack of studies including each BCT, the BCTs imperative to success could not be identified. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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20 pages, 1091 KiB

Open AccessReview

Non-Pharmacological Interventions to Reduce Unhealthy Eating and Risky Drinking in Young Adults Aged 18–25 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

by Stephanie Scott, Fiona Beyer, Kathryn Parkinson, Cassey Muir, Alice Graye, Eileen Kaner, Martine Stead, Christine Power, Niamh Fitzgerald, Jen Bradley, Wendy Wrieden and Ashley Adamson

Nutrients 2018, 10(10), 1538; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10101538 - 18 Oct 2018

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 6191

Abstract

Alcohol use peaks in early adulthood and can contribute both directly and indirectly to unhealthy weight gain. This review aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of preventative targeted interventions focused on reducing unhealthy eating behavior and linked alcohol use in 18–25-year-olds. Twelve electronic databases were searched from inception to June 2018 for trials or experimental studies, of any duration or follow-up. Eight studies (seven with student populations) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled estimates demonstrated inconclusive evidence that receiving an intervention resulted in changes to self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption (mean change/daily servings: 0.33; 95% CI −0.22 to 0.87) and alcohol consumption (mean reduction of 0.6 units/week; CI −1.35 to 0.19). There was also little difference in the number of binge drinking episodes per week between intervention and control groups (−0.01 sessions; CI −0.07 to 0.04). This review identified only a small number of relevant studies. Importantly, included studies did not assess whether (and how) unhealthy eating behaviors and alcohol use link together. Further exploratory work is needed to inform the development of appropriate interventions, with outcome measures that have the capacity to link food and alcohol consumption, in order to establish behavior change in this population group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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16 pages, 608 KiB

Open AccessReview

Understanding Eating Behavior during the Transition from Adolescence to Young Adulthood: A Literature Review and Perspective on Future Research Directions

by F. Marijn Stok, Britta Renner, Peter Clarys, Nanna Lien, Jeroen Lakerveld and Tom Deliens

Nutrients 2018, 10(6), 667; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10060667 - 24 May 2018

Cited by 114 | Viewed by 13771

Abstract

Introduction: Eating behavior often becomes unhealthier during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, but not much is known about the factors that drive this change. We assess the available evidence on this topic through a literature review and pay special attention to the research designs employed in the studies available as well as the modifiability of the factors investigated in previous research. Method: We systematically conducted a scoping review by searching literature published in or after 2000 in three databases that described one or more factors associated with eating behavior or changes in eating behavior during the transition from adolescence to adulthood in the general population. Our search identified eighteen articles meeting these inclusion criteria. The socio-ecological DONE (Determinants of Nutrition and Eating) framework, a recently developed dynamic framework of factors shaping dietary behavior, was used to structure and categorize the factors identified. Results: Most factors identified in the literature were individual-level factors (67%) such as food beliefs, time constraints, and taste preferences; on the other hand, interpersonal-level factors (e.g., social support), environmental-level factors (e.g., product characteristics) and policy-level factors (e.g., market regulations) have been reported on less extensively. Furthermore, most factors discussed in the literature have been classified in the DONE framework as not easily modifiable. Moreover, previous studies largely used static research designs and focused primarily on one specific population (US freshmen). Discussion: This systematic scoping review identified several gaps in the available literature that hinder insight into the drivers of eating behavior (change) during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. There is an urgent need for research on broader populations, employing dynamic repeated-measures designs, and taking modifiability of factors into account. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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Other

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1 pages, 160 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Faught et al. “Socioeconomic Disadvantage across the Life Course is associated with Diet Quality in Young Adulthood” Nutrients, 2019, 11(2), 242

by Erin L. Faught, Lindsay McLaren, Sharon I. Kirkpatrick, David Hammond, Leia M. Minaker, Kim D. Raine and Dana Lee Olstad

Nutrients 2019, 11(8), 1807; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11081807 - 05 Aug 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2252

Abstract

The authors wish to make a correction to the published version of their paper [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Behaviours during Young Adulthood)

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