Explaining the Correlates of Eating Outside-of-Home Behavior in a Nationally Representative US Sample Using the...

Area of Science:

• Health Behavior Change
• Lifestyle Studies
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Eating outside-of-home (EOH) represents a significant global lifestyle shift.
• Understanding the factors influencing EOH behavior is crucial for public health.
• The Multi-Theory Model (MTM) offers a framework for analyzing health behavior change.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate eating outside-of-home (EOH) behavior using the Multi-Theory Model (MTM).
• To identify predictors for initiating and sustaining reduced EOH behavior in a US population.

Main Methods:

• An analytical cross-sectional study utilizing a web-based survey of 532 US adults.
• Data collected via a 61-item psychometric survey on EOH behavior and MTM constructs.
• Statistical analyses included chi-square, t-tests, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical regression.

Main Results:

• 74.6% of respondents engaged in EOH at least twice weekly.
• Younger age, African American ethnicity, single marital status, graduate degree, and employment were associated with higher EOH.
• "Behavioral confidence" and "changes in the physical environment" predicted initiation (48% variance).
• "Emotional transformation" and "changes in the social environment" predicted sustenance (50% variance).

Conclusions:

• The Multi-Theory Model (MTM) effectively explains variations in eating outside-of-home (EOH) behavior.
• Targeted interventions based on MTM constructs can promote reduced EOH and in-home eating.
• Future interventions should focus on behavioral confidence, environmental modifications, emotional regulation, and social support.