Moving out: The impact of leaving the parental home on diet quality trajectories among Australian adolescents and young adults (14-27 years)
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Braune, Tanya
Barrett, Jessica K
Adams, Jean
Winpenny, Eleanor M
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background
Adolescence and early adulthood are marked by major life transitions, including leaving the parental home, which may influence dietary behaviours and related health risks. This study examined diet quality trajectories from adolescence into early adulthood and the influence of leaving home.
Methods
Data were drawn from 1135 participants aged 14 to 27 years in the Raine Study (Australia), who completed food frequency questionnaires at five follow-ups. Diet quality was assessed using the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score and proportion of energy from discretionary foods and beverages. Multilevel regression models examined diet quality trajectories, investigating interactions with leaving the parental home and subsequent living arrangements (partner, friends or alone).
Results
Diet quality was generally poor and followed a quadratic trajectory. Leaving the parental home was associated with a decline in diet quality, reflected in a lower DASH diet score: β = −1.11 [95% CI: 1.80, −0.41]; and increased discretionary food intake: β = 1.28 [95% CI: 0.30, 2.26]. The decline persisted over time for DASH diet score and diminished for discretionary food intake. Moving in with a partner was associated with the greatest decrease in DASH diet score: β = −1.18 [95% CI: 2.08, −0.28].
Conclusion
Leaving home, particularly to live with a partner, is associated with a small decrease in diet quality in a population with already sub-optimal diets. Public health strategies targeting life transitions may help support healthier dietary behaviours in adolescents and young adults in Australia and other high-income countries.
Adolescence and early adulthood are marked by major life transitions, including leaving the parental home, which may influence dietary behaviours and related health risks. This study examined diet quality trajectories from adolescence into early adulthood and the influence of leaving home.
Methods
Data were drawn from 1135 participants aged 14 to 27 years in the Raine Study (Australia), who completed food frequency questionnaires at five follow-ups. Diet quality was assessed using the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score and proportion of energy from discretionary foods and beverages. Multilevel regression models examined diet quality trajectories, investigating interactions with leaving the parental home and subsequent living arrangements (partner, friends or alone).
Results
Diet quality was generally poor and followed a quadratic trajectory. Leaving the parental home was associated with a decline in diet quality, reflected in a lower DASH diet score: β = −1.11 [95% CI: 1.80, −0.41]; and increased discretionary food intake: β = 1.28 [95% CI: 0.30, 2.26]. The decline persisted over time for DASH diet score and diminished for discretionary food intake. Moving in with a partner was associated with the greatest decrease in DASH diet score: β = −1.18 [95% CI: 2.08, −0.28].
Conclusion
Leaving home, particularly to live with a partner, is associated with a small decrease in diet quality in a population with already sub-optimal diets. Public health strategies targeting life transitions may help support healthier dietary behaviours in adolescents and young adults in Australia and other high-income countries.
Date Issued
2026-05-01
Date Acceptance
2026-03-14
Citation
Health and Place, 2026, 99
ISSN
1353-8292
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Health and Place
Volume
99
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
License URL
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
103651
Date Publish Online
2026-03-20