Research examines dietary habits across age groups and demographics

A study coordinated by Marjukka Nurkkala from the University of Oulu, published in the journal Appetite, has analyzed the dietary behaviors of nearly 9,000 individuals to establish reference values based on age and sex. The research focused on three dimensions: cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating.

The findings indicate that emotional and uncontrolled eating are more prevalent among young adults. In contrast, cognitive restraint—the conscious control and regulation of food intake—tends to be more pronounced in older age groups. Factors such as sex and body weight also influence these patterns, making it difficult to establish a single universal parameter for dietary habits.

In a separate context regarding youth nutrition, a survey of 1,700 adolescents aged 11 to 19 reveals a complex relationship with food. While 57% of respondents claim to understand the nutritional characteristics and origins of their food and 71% engage in regular physical activity, a contradiction remains: 59% consume highly processed industrial products several times a week.