Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Behavior, and the Risk of Non-Communicable Diseases among Young Adults

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between nutrition knowledge, dietary behavior, and the risk of non-communicable diseases among young adults within contemporary urban environments. The research aimed to explore how nutritional awareness influences eating behavior and contributes to the prevention or emergence of chronic disease risk factors among younger populations. A qualitative method with a phenomenological research design was employed because the study sought to understand participants’ lived experiences, perceptions, and behavioral interpretations regarding nutrition and health practices. The research was conducted in several universities and urban community settings in West Java, Indonesia, due to the increasing prevalence of unhealthy dietary behavior and lifestyle-related diseases among young adults in the region. The study involved twenty-five participants and eight key informants selected purposively based on their relevance to nutrition-related experiences and professional expertise. The findings revealed that most participants possessed moderate nutritional knowledge; however, unhealthy dietary practices remained common because of social influence, digital food marketing, academic pressure, limited time, and environmental barriers. The study recommends strengthening integrated nutrition education, supportive food environments, and preventive health promotion programs targeting young adults to reduce the long-term burden of non-communicable diseases.