Dietary Behaviors, Physical Activity, and Reported Role Models Among Emerging and Young Adults With Overweight and Obesity

This article characterizes role models identified by emerging/young adults for healthy eating and physical activity (PA), explores variations in reported role models by age, sex and race/ethnicity, and examines dietary/physical activity behaviors in relation to role models. Emerging/young adults (n=397) enrolled in a randomized controlled weight management trial completed assessments at baseline: self-reported role models for healthy eating and PA, Healthy Eating Index, device-measured PA, and demographics. Participants were 78% female, 50% non-White, with mean age 23.3 years, mean BMI 31.1 kg/m². For both healthy eating and PA, the most frequently reported role model was friend (diet: 35%; PA: 39%). Parent was reported second most frequently for healthy eating (21%) and third most frequently for PA (11%). Role models for healthy eating, but not PA, differed by race/ethnicity. Role models did not differ by age or sex. Results may inform future interventions to promote healthy behaviors in emerging adults.