Describing Independent Eating Occasions among Low-Income Adolescents

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Adolescent Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Understanding eating behaviors in early adolescents is crucial for public health interventions.
• Independent eating occasions (iEOs) represent significant opportunities for dietary intake outside of family meals.
• Limited research exists on the context, food choices, and influencing factors of iEOs among low-income populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe independent eating occasions (iEOs) among low-income early adolescents (10-13 years).
• To examine the environmental context, food selections, and reasons for selection during iEOs.
• To identify parental rules related to foods consumed during iEOs.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional, formative study utilizing a convenience sample of 46 low-income early adolescents across 10 U.S. states.
• Participants documented all food consumption over 24 hours using photography.
• Semi-structured interviews were conducted to contextualize eating occasions, with responses coded for food groups (USDA MyPlate), parental rules, and selection reasons.

Main Results:

• Over 304 eating occasions, 58% were classified as iEOs, with 65% of these being snacks.
• The majority of iEOs occurred at home.
• Frequently consumed foods included sweets, total fruit, dairy, and whole fruit; primary parental rules focused on avoidance and portion control.
• Adolescents chose foods based on convenience, taste, and availability, influenced by parent, household, and personal factors.

Conclusions:

• Independent eating occasions are prevalent among low-income early adolescents and are influenced by a complex interplay of factors.
• Dietary patterns during iEOs include nutrient-dense options (fruits, dairy) alongside less healthy choices (sweets).
• Interventions targeting parental rules, household availability, and adolescent preferences could improve diet quality during iEOs.