JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Literature suggests that people’s eating behaviors are affected by their eating environment, particularly by whom they eat with and where they eat. The relationship between eating behaviors and eating environment is more pronounced for young adults whose behaviors are more likely to be influenced by their social environment. Young adulthood is a critical life stage as lifestyle habits established during this phase can have life-long effects. However, few studies have examined how college students’ eating behaviors change in different environments using a rigorous design.

Objective:

This study aims to examine the relationship between dietary intake and eating environment in young adults based on data from two sources: a mobile app of dietary tracking and a daily survey.

Methods:

A total of 41 college students aged 18 to 25, of diverse race and ethnic backgrounds were recruited. Participants logged all dietary intake using Nutritionix, a dietary tracking mobile app, and completed a short daily survey on their eating behaviors, eating environment, and mood and stress levels at the time of eating. A total of 3,168 eating occasions were logged over 4 weeks. Data from the mobile app and online surveys were linked and analyzed using multilevel mixed effect models.

Results:

App data revealed that participants had higher calorie intake when eating with two or more companions compared to eating alone; they also ate more when in a formal or sit-down dining settings compared to eating at home. Daily survey data indicated the opposite: participants reported eating less when eating with two or more companions or in a formal or sit-down dining setting. Significant gender differences existed in the above relationships. Other factors associated with eating behaviors included BMI level, mood and stress levels.

Conclusions:

This is one of the first studies that quantifies the relationship between dietary intake and eating environment using data from a mobile app and daily surveys. Young adults’ dietary behaviors are significantly affected by individual, interpersonal and environmental factors, suggesting the need for personalized and context-sensitive interventions. Discrepancies between actual calorie intake and perceived food consumption should be given more attention when designing such interventions.