“Almond Moms” and Their Influence on College-Aged Emerging Adults: An Investigation on Eating Cognitions, Behaviors, and Psychological Wellness

“Almond Moms” and Their Influence on College-Aged Emerging Adults: An Investigation on Eating Cognitions, Behaviors, and Psychological Wellness

Presenter(s)

Rebecca Sutton

Comments

2:20-2:40, Kennedy Union 312

Description

The present study examines the potential psychological and behavioral impacts "almond moms" have on their college-aged children. Previous studies examining how parents influence disordered eating habits found that parental attitudes, specifically maternal attitudes, towards appearance, weight, and dieting are associated with their children's risk for disordered behaviors. These past studies suggest that parents play a significant role in how children both think and behave around food, potentially contributing to unhealthy thought patterns and habits down the road. These studies were conducted before a specific type of parent with particular behaviors towards dieting, the "almond mom," was defined in popular culture, so examining that type of parent’s potential influence on their children will bolster research on parental influence on eating habits. It is hypothesized that college-aged students who report growing up with a parent who exhibited more characteristics that are typical for an almond mom will demonstrate more worry about nutritional choices, disordered eating habits, and less positive body image. They will also demonstrate a more rigid value system around food, categorizing foods as “good” or “bad” based on what their parents taught them about food. Impulsivity is predicted to moderate the link between parental experiences and eating habits as control is a large predictor of food choices. Socioeconomic status will serve as another moderator since those of a higher socioeconomic status tend to have the resources to only shop for foods tailored to their diets or with certain ingredients and nutritional qualities (i.e., “clean eating”).

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Project Designation

Honors Thesis

Primary Advisor

Jackson A. Goodnight

Primary Advisor's Department

Psychology

Keywords

Stander Symposium, College of Arts and Sciences

Institutional Learning Goals

Scholarship; Critical Evaluation of Our Times

“Almond Moms” and Their Influence on College-Aged Emerging Adults: An Investigation on Eating Cognitions, Behaviors, and Psychological Wellness

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