This 2015 study aimed to develop indices of protective and risky meal practices most strongly associated with diet. Another objective was to evaluate the associations between young adults' meal routines and practices, with key dietary indicators such as the consumption of fruits, vegetables, fast food, and sugar-sweetened beverages. The dietary routines and practices examined included meal preparation, skipping meals, and eating on the run. The survey was completed by community college and public university students in Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area (USA). The results indicated that preparing meals with vegetables and at home, and regularly eating evening meals and breakfast were most strongly linked with healthy dietary patterns. On the other hand, using media while eating, consuming something on the run, and buying drinks and foods on campus, correlated strongly with poor dietary habits. Furthermore, Laska et al. found that an index that sums the selected protective meal routines and practices (protective factors index) was positively associated with fruit/vegetable consumption and negatively associated with fast-food and sugar-sweetened beverage intake. There were also positive relationships between A Risky Factors Index, and fast-food and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption. There was a connection between the students’ meal routines and practices with their dietary patterns. Therefore, food choice may be influenced by the structure of the mealtimes, and contextual characteristics of eating. When developing dietary guidelines, the focus should not only be on food choice, but also on the context of mealtimes.
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