ArticleBMC public health2026
Young adults' perceptions of food classification criteria and barriers to healthy eating: a qualitative inquiry from eight Indian metropolises.
Article in BMC public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
backgroundThe rapidly transforming urban Indian food landscape has triggered unhealthy dietary habits among its younger cohort. Young adults' classification of healthy and unhealthy foods is likely to have significant repercussions for their eating behaviour, and consequently, their long-term health and well-being. This qualitative research inquiry aimed to capture novel insights about the ways urban Indian young adults classify meals and snacks as healthy or unhealthy as well as their perceived barriers to healthy eating.
methodsGuided by the social constructivism paradigm, the present investigation employed an exploratory-descriptive qualitative research design. Purposive and snowball sampling strategies were used to recruit young adults (aged: 19 years - 29 years) from eight Indian metropolises. In-depth interviews were conducted either in-person or virtually until saturation. Sixty-eight young adults (51% female) participated in the interviews. The conversations were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim for data analysis. Interview transcripts were imported to NVivo software and analysed using open thematic coding.
resultsFour main themes and associated sub-themes included: (i) Food classification criteria (Nutrient composition and food groups, Type of food preparation, Food preparation venue, Frequency of food consumption, Presence of sugar, Food processing and packaging, Price of food, Health issues); (ii) Barriers to healthy eating (Easy availability and accessibility of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor food, Healthy food is costly, Negative peer influence, Decline in home cooking, Independent living); (iii) Poor knowledge about government-led health campaigns; (iv) Digital health applications and social media.
conclusionsEmerging themes highlight various food classification criteria adopted by young adults to categorize food as healthy or unhealthy as well as several barriers to healthy eating. These findings highlight the need to equip young people with nutrition and food literacy and digital health literacy which could be attained by tailored behavioural nutrition interventions and integrating government-led health messaging into trusted social media platforms.
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