Perceived barriers and facilitators for adherence to healthy eating practices in weight management among college students

Obesity and overweight are global health issues with significant implications for non- communicable diseases. College students, in the transition from adolescence to early adulthood, face unique challenges in maintaining a healthy weight due to lifestyle changes. While weight loss research is abundant, there is a dearth of qualitative studies exploring the factors that influence adherence to healthy eating practices among this population. Understanding the factors influencing healthy eating practices among college students is crucial for addressing the obesity epidemic early. This study aims to identify the barriers and facilitators for adherence to healthy eating practices in this population. The study employed a qualitative approach which involves individual interviews using a semi-structured guide based on the COM-B Model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Interviews, lasting 30 minutes to one hour were voice recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed thematically using NVivo14 software. Twenty participants, aged 18 to 25 years old, from UiTM Puncak Alam in Selangor, were recruited through flyers, social media, and email. The analysis utilized the COM-B Model and the TDF to categorize and rank these factors based on their frequency of mentions. Key facilitators include physical, psychological capability, and reflective motivation which consists of various skills and knowledge related to healthy eating. In contrast, barriers were predominantly associated with reflective and automatic motivation, and physical and social opportunity which consist of beliefs about consequences and reinforcement. The study’s findings can contribute to a better understanding of how college students perceive and navigate the challenges and opportunities for maintaining a healthy diet and managing their weight, ultimately aiding in the development of targeted interventions to promote long-term weight control among this population.