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

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

doi:10.3390/nu10060667

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.

Highlights

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
The eighteen articles identified described results of original research on factors associated with eating behavior during the transitional period occurring between adolescence and young adulthood
While qualitative and cross-sectional study designs can identify potentially relevant factors, by definition they do not allow the drawing of conclusions about whether any given factor truly shapes the changes in eating behavior that occur during the transition from adolescence to young adulthood

Summary

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. Nutrients 2018, 10, 667 occur during this period, such as leaving high school to start college or working life, and leaving the parental home to establish an independent living arrangement As such, this life phase is marked by adaptation to changing physical and social contexts, substantial increases in independence and autonomy, and a development of one’s individuality and identity [1,2,3]. This life phase is marked by adaptation to changing physical and social contexts, substantial increases in independence and autonomy, and a development of one’s individuality and identity [1,2,3] This transitional life stage was, until recently, generally considered to be a low-risk period in life, in which people generally enjoy good health. The heightened risk of weight gain in this stage of life seems to be due, at least in part, to the fact that weight-related behavioral patterns are subject to substantial change throughout this period [5,6,7,8]

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