Individual, social–environmental and physical–environmental correlates of diet quality in young adults aged 18–30 years

Abstract

Many young adults eat a poor-quality diet. However, understanding of the social-ecological correlates of diet quality in young adults is limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the correlates of diet quality in a cohort of young Australian adults. Data from the cross-sectional Measuring EAting in everyday Life Study were used. Young adults (n=625; 18-30 years; 73% female) were included if they provided dietary data over three or four non-consecutive days using FoodNow , a real-time food diary smartphone application. Diet quality was estimated using the 2013 Dietary Guidelines Index (DGI). Thirty correlates from three levels of the social-ecological framework were collected using an online questionnaire: individual (e.g., self-efficacy), social-environmental (e.g., social support) and physical-environmental (e.g., living situation). Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between correlates and DGI. Six individual-level correlates were associated with DGI: perceived time scarcity (b=-0.664, CI: -1.160, -0.168), food insecurity (b=-0.962, CI: -1.746, -0.178), self-efficacy (b=0.230, CI: 0.137, 0.323), being born in Australia (b=-3.165, CI: -5.521, -0.808), being employed in non-trade roles (b=-4.578, CI: -8.903, -0.252) and preparing a meals with vegetables daily (b=4.576, CI: 1.652, 7.500). No social-environmental or physical-environmental correlates were associated with DGI. Overall, this study showed that young adults had a higher diet quality if they had higher self-efficacy, perceived themselves to be less time scarce and less food insecure, were born in Australia, were employed in non-trade roles and prepared a meal with vegetables daily. Healthy eating policies and interventions in young adults may benefit from targeting individual-level correlates.