![Sample our Food Science & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5936/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Food-Science-Technology.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this research is to investigate factors influencing college students’ healthy eating behaviors. The study was conducted in the campus dining services of a Midwest university in the U.S. using paper surveys developed based on related literature review. A convenience sample of 321 college students participated in the study (52.5% male). Researchers collected dining receipts from each participant to measure students’ calorie consumption behaviors from February 2018 to May 2018. Results showed that attitudes toward healthy eating (3.84 ± 0.62, p < .001), body image (3.44 ± 0.82, p<.001), social influences of healthy eating (3.63 ± 0.85, p < .001), and guilt level of consuming unhealthy food (2.97 ± 1.03, p < .05) had significant positive relationships with healthy food consumption intention. Furthermore, attitudes toward healthy eating (3.84 ± 0.62, p < .001), social influences of healthy eating (3.63 ± 0.85, p< .01), hunger level (3.44 ± 1.65, p< .001), and guilt level of consuming unhealthy food (2.97 ± 1.03, p< .05) had significant negative relationships with healthy food eating behaviors (719.43 ± 387.73). Meanwhile, intention (t = −3.49, p < .001) plays a partial mediating role between attitude toward healthy diet and healthy eating behaviors. This study also provides some recommendations for improving the college diet based on the results.