Social, behavioral, and psychological predictors of young women’s food choices: a scoping review

Authors: SMITH, JANE - Texas A&M University; Comeau, Madeline; Hess, Julie

Submitted to: Nutrients
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/4/2025
Publication Date: 3/7/2025
Citation: Smith, J.L., Comeau, M.E., Hess, J.M. 2025. Social, behavioral, and psychological predictors of young women’s food choices: a scoping review. Nutrients. 17(6):Article 932. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060932.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060932

Interpretive Summary: In the past decade, nutrition research has noted a decline in diet quality among young females (adolescents and young adults). However, the reasons for this decline have not been articulated in dietary guidance. The purpose of this investigation was to review and collate findings of a systematic review of the published evidence base exploring social, behavioral, and psychological factors that may be associated with low diet quality among girls and women 13 to 24 years of age. We found that factors contributing to lower diet quality among this population have not been thoroughly explored, and there is further research needed to pinpoint primary factors affecting diet and subgroups most at risk of poor nutritional intake.

Technical Abstract: Background: Understanding influences on food habits is crucial to developing effective strategies to improve dietary quality. Past research shows predictors of food habits may be dependent on individuals’ age and sex; that is, different social groups may experience different influences on their eating patterns. Young women are a population of particular concern, as they have one of the greatest disparities between actual and recommended diet. Objective: The purpose of this analysis is to better understand what influences young women’s eating patterns. Study Design: We conducted a systematic search on PubMed to identify studies on the social, behavioral, and psychological predictors of food choices of females 13-24 years in the United States. To be included, articles had to be published in a peer-reviewed journal between 2017 and 2022, focus on adolescents or emerging adults, feature female participants or disaggregate findings by sex, and include a formal analysis of social, psychological, or behavioral factors related to food, eating, and/or diet. Analysis: A content analysis of 48 final articles was performed separately by two independent researchers. The two researchers then jointly identified overarching themes in the literature, with consultation from a third researcher. Results: We found that social and psychological factors are frequently examined in current literature, with far fewer studies considering behavioral influences on young women’s eating habits. Moreover, our analysis indicated how little research has been conducted on diet quality influences among young women, as <2% of articles contained findings that met inclusion criteria. Conclusion: This analysis indicates additional research is needed to ascertain predictors of adolescent and young adult women’s food patterns and dietary choices.