title: Impact of living arrangements and nationality on food habits and nutrient intakes in young adults.
abstract: The influence of living arrangements and nationality on nutrient intakes and food habits and beliefs were explored in young adults. Two hundred and thirty-two participants (20.4±2.8 years) completed a food questionnaire and two 24-h food records. Sixty-nine percent were living at home, and 72% described their nationality as Australian. Most participants performed their own food preparation (84%); those living away from home were significantly more likely to purchase and prepare their meals than those living at home, and no differences were observed between nationalities. The importance of healthy eating behaviours was recognised by over 80% of participants, with no differences observed between living arrangements or nationalities. Those living away from home and those who identified themselves as Australian consumed significantly more alcoholic drinks than those living at home and non-Australians. Eighty-four percent perceived their diets as healthy, however high saturated fat (13.4±3.9% energy) and sodium (2382±1166mg) and low fibre (23±9g) diets were consumed. Overall, few differences were observed between nationalities indicating assimilation of food cultures. Future interventions need to address the disconnect between nutrition knowledge and behaviour, irrespective of living arrangements and need to be appropriate for a range of nationalities.
authors.affiliation: School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia. lynn.riddell@deakin.edu.au
authors.forename: Lynnette J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Riddell
authors.forename: Bixia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Russell S J
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Keast
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hunter
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015930:Diet Records; D004034:Diet Surveys / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004041:Dietary Fats; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012982:Sodium, Dietary; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D012982:Sodium, Dietary