Jennifer E Pelletier1, Melissa N Laska. 1. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA. pelle137@umn.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To characterize associations between perceived time constraints for healthy eating and work, school, and family responsibilities among young adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: A large, Midwestern metropolitan region. PARTICIPANTS: A diverse sample of community college (n = 598) and public university (n = 603) students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time constraints in general, as well as those specific to meal preparation/structure, and perceptions of a healthy life balance. ANALYSIS: Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression (α = .005). RESULTS: Women, 4-year students, and students with lower socioeconomic status perceived more time constraints (P < .001-.002); students with lower socioeconomic status were less likely to have a healthy balance (P ≤ .003). Having a heavy course load and working longer hours were important predictors of time constraints among men (P < .001-.004), whereas living situation and being in a relationship were more important among women (P = .002-.003). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Most young adults perceive time constraints on healthy dietary behaviors, yet some young adults appear able to maintain a healthy life balance despite multiple time demands. Interventions focused on improved time management strategies and nutrition-related messaging to achieve healthy diets on a low time budget may be more successful if tailored to the factors that contribute to time constraints separately among men and women.
OBJECTIVE: To characterize associations between perceived time constraints for healthy eating and work, school, and family responsibilities among young adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: A large, Midwestern metropolitan region. PARTICIPANTS: A diverse sample of community college (n = 598) and public university (n = 603) students. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time constraints in general, as well as those specific to meal preparation/structure, and perceptions of a healthy life balance. ANALYSIS: Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression (α = .005). RESULTS:Women, 4-year students, and students with lower socioeconomic status perceived more time constraints (P < .001-.002); students with lower socioeconomic status were less likely to have a healthy balance (P ≤ .003). Having a heavy course load and working longer hours were important predictors of time constraints among men (P < .001-.004), whereas living situation and being in a relationship were more important among women (P = .002-.003). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Most young adults perceive time constraints on healthy dietary behaviors, yet some young adults appear able to maintain a healthy life balance despite multiple time demands. Interventions focused on improved time management strategies and nutrition-related messaging to achieve healthy diets on a low time budget may be more successful if tailored to the factors that contribute to time constraints separately among men and women.
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