title: Factors Influencing Changes in Eating Patterns Among Hong Kong Young Adults Transitioning to Tertiary Education.
abstract: Transitioning to tertiary education is a significant life course event that has the potential to influence lifelong eating patterns. This study used a theoretic model developed from a life course perspective to examine factors influencing the change of food choices among 31 young adults in Hong Kong after they moved on to tertiary education. Qualitative analysis of transcripts based on the constant comparative method revealed that present life course experiences, especially increased autonomy, and social-environmental factors strongly influenced young adults' present food choices. A model was developed from life course theory and social-ecological theory to reflect the factors that led to change of food choices among participants. The model provides unique insights on food choices of the future adult population. It could also be used as a reference for the development of nutrition education interventions targeting tertiary students as they experience increased autonomy. In conclusion, food choices of young adults on transitioning to tertiary education are strongly influenced by increased autonomy and change of social and environmental factors.
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia stella_kwok@ymail.com.
authors.forename: Sin Tung
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capra
authors.affiliation: University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leveritt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012931:Social Environment; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hong Kong; eating pattern; food choices; tertiary students; young adult