Home meal replacement consumption as a convenience-oriented eating pattern and its association with eating-related health risk behaviors among college students: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundHome meal replacement (HMR) products, a common form of convenience-oriented meals, are widely consumed among college students and may influence dietary quality and eating patterns. However, their potential associations with disordered eating attitudes and behaviors (DEABs) remain unclear.AimTo examine associations between the type and frequency of HMR consumption (RTE, RTH, and RTC) and DEABs among college students.MethodsData were obtained from 500 U.S. college students in a cross-sectional study conducted in 2025 (mean age = 21.6 ± 2.3 years; 61.2% female; 23.2% White, 31.8% African American, 24.6% Hispanic, 13.6% Asian American, 6.8% mixed/other). Independent variables included use and frequency of RTE, RTH, and RTC meals. Outcomes included DEABs (overeating, binge eating, unhealthy weight control behaviors, and weight/shape concerns), assessed using the Questionnaire on Eating and Weight Patterns-5. Modified Poisson regression models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusting for demographic characteristics and body mass index.ResultsOverall, 95.4% of participants reported HMR consumption, including 87.8% for RTE, 80.9% for RTH, and 78.8% for RTC. RTH consumption was associated with a higher prevalence of overeating (aPR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.05-2.02), while RTC consumption was associated with binge eating (aPR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.13-3.02). RTE consumption showed nonsignificant positive trends with several DEABs (aPR range = 1.26-1.44). Frequency of HMR consumption was not consistently associated with DEABs, and no clear dose-response patterns emerged, suggesting that type rather than frequency may be more relevant.ConclusionHMR consumption was associated with selected DEABs, with variation by meal type. Convenience-oriented meal use may represent a modifiable behavioral factor that may inform targeted nutrition and behavioral interventions in college populations.