Calories and control: Eating habits, behaviors, and motivations of Generation Z females

This qualitative phenomenological study explored eating habits, behaviors, and motivations of Gen Z females (born 1996-2002). Ten participants met selection criteria: female aged 18-24 (thus, part of Gen Z), enrolled full-time at the University and able to share experiences. Maximum variation was so...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of American college health 2023-10, Vol.71 (8), p.2578-2586
Main Authors: Kaylor, Sara K., Allen, Isabel, Crim, Anna Dailey, Callihan, Michael L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
disordered eating
Eating behavior
Ethnicity
Generation Z
Habits
health behaviors
Health promotion
Healthy food
Interviews
Medical personnel
Pandemics
qualitative phenomenology
Race
Selection criteria
Selfworth
Social media
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Summary:This qualitative phenomenological study explored eating habits, behaviors, and motivations of Gen Z females (born 1996-2002). Ten participants met selection criteria: female aged 18-24 (thus, part of Gen Z), enrolled full-time at the University and able to share experiences. Maximum variation was sought for race/ethnicity, Greek life/sorority involvement and hometown regional area. Semi-structured interviews elicited detailed descriptions of lived experiences. Data consisted of five face-to-face interviews and five Internet-based teleconferenced interviews. Saldana's First Cycle/Second Cycle constant comparative method was used for data analysis. Four themes and four subthemes were identified: Blurred Lines (healthy versus disordered behaviors), Rationalizing Behaviors (Denial), Technological Influences (Social Media; Self-Worth), and Pandemic Influence. Gen Z represents a pivotal population with diverse characteristics. These findings are helpful to health professionals, faculty, academic administrators, and others with vested interests in promoting healthier living, learning and work environments for this population.
ISSN:0744-8481
1940-3208
DOI:10.1080/07448481.2021.1978465