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Dietary Patterns (Poster Session)

(P22-024-24) Using Social Network Analysis to Understand Peer Relationships on Dietary Patterns in Early Adolescents

Monday, July 1, 2024
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM CT
Location: Poster Board 300

    Presenting Author(s)

  • IJ

    Ivy Johnson-Kanda, MS/MBA

    Graduate Student
    University of Massachusetts Amherst
    Wallingford, Connecticut, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • LS

    Lindiwe Sibeko, PhD

    Assistant Professor
    University of Massachusetts
    Amherst, Massachusetts, United States

Disclosure(s):
Ivy Johnson-Kanda, MS/MBA: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: This study aims to understand the influence of social networks on adolescent dietary patterns by examining 1) the prevalence and risk factors for unhealthy dietary patterns, 2) psychosocial relationships between peer networks and dietary patterns, and 3) how social network analysis can provide insights into these associations.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, and other scientific databases to identify relevant studies on social networks and adolescent nutrition. Key search terms reflected the population (adolescents aged 10-14 years), exposure (social networks), and outcome (dietary patterns).

Results: Evidence indicates a high prevalence of poor diet quality and low adherence to national dietary recommendations among U.S. adolescents. Key risk factors include food preferences, parenting practices, school food environments, and targeted food marketing. Psychosocial mechanisms linking peer relationships and eating behaviors include social facilitation, modeling, and impression management. Four identified studies applied social network analysis to examine peer network correlations with healthy or unhealthy dietary intake. Significant positive associations emerged between adolescents’ and friends’ unhealthy food consumption. Links between friends’ healthy food intake and individuals’ own intake were more mixed.

Conclusions: This review found consistent evidence that friend networks relate to adolescent dietary patterns, though additional research is warranted. Applying longitudinal study designs, testing interventions leveraging peer influence, and utilizing advanced analytical techniques would strengthen understanding of these complex dynamics during a critical developmental period. Examining multi-dimensional dietary intake and diverse populations would also be beneficial.

Funding Sources: None