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

Abstract

Objective

This qualitative phenomenological study explored eating habits, behaviors, and motivations of Gen Z females (born 1996-2002).

Participants

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.

Methods

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.

Results

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.

Conclusion

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.

Keywords:

• Generation Z
• health behaviors
• disordered eating
• qualitative phenomenology

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of United States of America and received approval from the Institutional Review Board of The University of Alabama.

Funding

No funding was used to support this research and/or the preparation of the manuscript.

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.