Report Title

Nutrition Beliefs and Practices Among Generation Z

Collective Title

Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics Research Reports 2020

Abstract

Background: Life expectancy is decreasing, and childhood obesity is increasing. Limited research has been conducted on the nutrition beliefs and practices of Generation Z and the potential discrepancies between the two.

Objective: Assess the nutrition beliefs and whether these beliefs translate into practices among the 18-24 age group of Generation Z.

Design: Anonymous survey (nutrition belief-based and practice-based) provided via QR code accessible through Facebook, E-mails and text message.

Participants: There were 74 participants recruited through Facebook, E-mail, flyer and word of mouth. Individuals 18-24 years of age were included in the study. Those majoring in nutrition and currently or pending to be a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist or Diet Technician were excluded.

Main Outcome Measures: Nutrition beliefs and practices among Generation Z.

Statistical Analysis Performed: Correlational analysis between the beliefs and practices among Generation Z was conducted by the Kendall’s Tau test.

Results: Significant association was found between the reliability of RDNS and seeking nutrition advice (0.005), food knowledge and reading nutrition labels (0.05), whole grains preventing disease and eating whole grains (0.01), daily breakfast improving health and eating breakfast (<0.0001), importance of caloric awareness and attention to calories (0.01), fruits preventing disease and eating fruit (<0.0001), awareness of hunger and eating when hungry (0.013), awareness of satiety and stopping eating when full (0.0004), and social media influence on what they eat and making changes to their diet based on social media (<0.0001). There was no significant association between the belief of vegetables preventing disease and eating vegetables (0.873).

Conclusions: Health professionals will be able to provide more relevant nutrition education and design programs to target the beliefs and practices of Generation Z. This may reduce childhood obesity and improve quality of life by facilitating positive habits.

LLU Discipline

Nutrition and Dietetics

Department

Nutrition and Dietetics

School

School of Allied Health Professions

First Advisor

Kyndra Woosley

Second Advisor

Gurinder Bains

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

2020

Date (Title Page)

6-2020

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Dietetics; Generation Z; Nutrition;

Type

Research Report

Page Count

16 p.

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Research Reports

Collection Website

scholarsrepository.llu.edu/rr/

Repository

Loma Linda University. University Libraries.

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