Eating behaviors, a family history of divorce, and gender among college students: A five-day diary study. Louis A. Cornejo Jeffrey T. Cookston San Francisco State University

Aim of the study  Expand on the current research of the eating habits and daily functioning of college students.  Search for differences in eating habits based on family status, age, and gender.  Observe if certain groups of students tend to eat healthier (consistency in meals, more produce, and less sugary drinks)

Research on Eating Habits  Adolescent females tend to skip breakfast. (Shaw, 1998)  Skipping breakfast is associated with less healthier food choices throughout the day such eating higher calories, and less nutritious options. (A. P. Goldstone et al., 2009)  When behaviors are more frequent and occur in stables contexts, there is a stronger pattern of past and future actions. (Ouellette and Wood, 1998)  An unhealthy diet is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. (McClain, et al., 2009)

Hypotheses  Does the recollection of eating behaviors during childhood differ by family marital status?  Is there a relationship between eating breakfast and the consumption of produce (fruits and vegetables) throughout the day?  What is the trend of eating breakfast at home based on family marital status?  Do certain students eat breakfast at home more often based on family status and gender?

Method  Online diary study- total span of five days  Questions remained consistent  Student were offered the option of receiving extra credit  Length of study- one hour (about 12 mins./day)

Participants  Students were recruited from psychology courses at SFSU ( N = 356).  The majority was female (81%) – most likely due to the general distribution of psychology students.  Age ranged from 18 to 60 ( M = 21.93, SD = 4.37).  60% of students were from intact families (parents have not separated, divorced, or remarried)

Results  Family marital status does relate to childhood memory of the frequency of meals eaten and prepared at home.  Number of produce items consumed is influenced by breakfast habits.  Data of students from intact families show an increasing and consistent trend in eating breakfast at home over time.  Family status plays a role in overall breakfast consumption, especially based on gender.

Childhood Recollection Students from divorced families recalled and reported a lower frequency of meals prepared and eaten at home during childhood. t(257) 2.22, p =.027.

Eating Breakfast and Produce Consumption Students who skipped breakfast tended to eat fewer amounts of produce. F (2, 348) = 4.07, p =.018.

Does Eating Breakfast Influence Produce Consumption?

Family Background and Eating Breakfast  Students from intact families tended to eat breakfast at home more often than students from divorced families over the length of five days. F (4, 348) = 2.60, p =.035.

Breakfast Trend Overtime

Eating Breakfast, Family History and Gender  Differences in the overall tendency to eat breakfast based on family status was moderated by gender. - Main effect: F (1, 344) = 5.71, p = Interaction (gender) : F (1, 344) = 9.58, p <.002.

Gender Interaction

Conclusion  Students who skip breakfast may ultimately eat fewer amounts of fruits and vegetables throughout the day.  Family marital status (divorce vs. intact families) does influence the tendency for students to eat breakfast at home.  When both family status and gender is included we observe significant differences (males from intact families vs. males from divorced families)  We should further investigate why male students from divorced families are more likely to skip breakfast.  These findings suggest the complicated nature of eating habits in relation to individual and family characteristics.  Future research studies should focus on developing programs that educate college students of the importance of eating breakfast.