Undergraduate Students Are Not Wooed by Fad Diets

Abstract

Objectives: University students are at a major transition point in their lives marked by increased dietary independence with lifestyle behaviors established during this time contributing to lifelong health. Time constraints, price, stress, food knowledge, and social pressure are among the factors influencing diet choices in this demographic. This study was designed to investigate students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding fad diets and the impact they may have on their health. We hypothesized that college students may be susceptible to fad diets which generally promise significant weight loss in a short period of time. Methods: A total of 23 participants (16 females, 5 males, 2 did not respond) participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Participants had a mean age of 19.2 years, 47.8% were non-White, and the average measured BMI was 27.3. Recruitment occurred primarily via a database of students who had expressed an interest in psychology research projects. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and coded using the constant comparative method. Results: Participants were able to name over 25 different fad diets with Keto being most frequently mentioned. Fad diets were overwhelmingly viewed as ineffective for healthy weight loss and contrary to healthy eating. Participants often described fad diets as an avenue for influencers to make money on Instagram, which is concerning because social media was stated as the most common method for students to learn about fad diets. Some participants identified limited healthy options on campus as a barrier to healthy eating and were disappointed in the lack of nutrition resources provided by the university. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that undergraduate students were generally well versed in distinguishing between "fad diets" and "healthy diets" and the strong presence of fad diets on social media did not strongly influence health behaviors in this sample. Universities should examine the food options they offer students.