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.