Disparities in dietary intake, meal patterning, and home food environments among young adult nonstudents and 2- and 4-year college students.

Nelson, Melissa C; Larson, Nicole I; Barr-Anderson, Daheia; Neumark-Sztainer, Dianne; Story, Mary · Am J Public Health · 2009

cross_sectional · Level IV

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Abstract

We examined whether young adult meal patterning, dietary intake, and home food availability differed among nonstudents, 2-year college students, and 4-year college students (N = 1687; mean age = 20.5 years). Unadjusted analyses showed that few young adults consumed optimal diets and, compared with 4-year college students, nonstudents and 2-year students consumed fewer meals and poorer diets. After controlling for sociodemographics and living arrangements, we found that over half of the observed associations remained significant (P < .05). Nutrition interventions are needed for young adults, particularly specific at-risk groups.

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