I have chosen an unhealthy diet as a lifestyle behavior that directly affects my health. An unhealthy diet is defined as consuming "high levels of energy-dense foods, such as processed foods that are high in fat and sugar" and salt. (WHO, 2018). Unhealthy diets are positively associated with cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, stomach and colorectal cancer. (WHO, 2018) In this essay I will use the factors from the Dahlgren-Whitehead socio-ecological framework to gain insight and analyze how the factors attributed to my unhealthy diet. Age and gender Biological characteristics such as gender and age can influence diet. A study conducted revealed that women have a greater craving for sweet foods such as chocolates and desserts. (Hallam et al., 2016) Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Biologically, women experience changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle each month. One study revealed that 74.3% of women reported craving foods high in sugar and/or salt, seven days before their period. (Dye et al., 1995) Women are also more likely to react to high-calorie foods during various menstrual phases. (Hallam et al., 2016) Age is also an important factor contributing to unhealthy eating. Young adults are able to eat a wider range of foods such as fast food, snacks and sweet drinks because they have better immune systems than children and older adults. Being a woman and a young adult, I experienced cravings for sweet and salty foods before measuring and they gave in very often. Additionally, compared to when I was younger, I find myself consuming greater amounts of sugar/salt but fewer fruits and vegetables because I am less susceptible to disease. However, biological characteristics and genetic dispositions are inadequate to fully understand and explain it and have been shown to have limited influence in shaping behaviors, choices, and preferences. While age and gender may influence my unhealthy diet, social factors beyond biology are key. Individual Lifestyle Factors The first level of the SE model illustrates how an individual's choices and lifestyle can promote or harm health (Soderback & Uden, 2009). The type of food an individual chooses to consume is largely influenced and determined by preferences and motivation for wanting to eat healthily. (Brug, 2008) Personally, the two main reasons for my unhealthy diet are due to my preference for tasty foods and lack of motivation to eat healthily. Firstly, I prefer salty foods, foods full of flavour, such as curries which are usually high in salt, sugar and fat. I would be more inclined to choose them over fruits and vegetables which generally seem more bland in comparison. If I had to eat vegetables, I would only eat them if they were soaked in sauce. Secondly, I'm not motivated to eat foods rich in fiber and vitamins because I don't have any major obvious health problems at the moment. Even though I am aware of the negative health effects of a long-term unhealthy diet, I am not actively doing anything to change it because my daily bodily functions are normal and I do not feel any discomfort. Therefore, the combination of preference and lack of motivation to change my diet manifests itself in my unhealthy eating habits and choices. Both factors lead to a passive attitude towards a healthy diet and I would choose to give in to my cravings and preferences. Social networks eCommunity The second level of SE models states that support, or lack thereof, from social and community networks can positively or negatively influence individuals' health. Eating behavior and food choices are strongly influenced by social contexts, and food choices tend to shape those with whom we have close social ties. I live on campus and eat out every day. I rarely eat homemade food and prefer not to because it tastes bland. Plus, my family loves snacks and ice cream, so there's always plenty of that. My parents would buy my favorite products and encourage me to eat them when I'm home. Therefore, my family network provides me with support to eat unhealthy. My social network is made up of people who also follow an unhealthy diet. Most of my friends and I have similar food preferences. We consume fast food and snacks almost every day and it has become a routine for us. As such, since my friends share similar tastes and preferences with me, it provides me with the support and opportunity that further encourages and promotes an unhealthy diet. Some food norms are produced and reproduced in social groups, and we tend to eat more in groups. (Higgs & Thomas, 2016) If a member of a group deviates from norms it can justify informal sanctions such as disapproval and exclusion from the group, which dissuade the individual from deviating. (Thomas & Bishop, 1984) For me, there is no network that supports healthy eating, especially when I live on a campus where peer pressure is prevalent. There is a strong dinner culture due to co-curricular activities finishing very late, or eating dinner as a form of socializing. Despite the knowledge that eating late at night is unhealthy and may increase the risk of obesity and chronic disease (Kinsey & Ormsbee, 2015), and despite the autonomy to decide whether to eat, I often find it difficult to refuse dinner requests. For me, dinner has a symbolic meaning that represents group inclusion, which is even more important given the fact that we live together. So I eat dinner even if I'm not hungry for fear of exclusion. Therefore, such social stressors also contribute to my unhealthy diet. My usual food choices are fried rice, roti prata, nasi lemak from supper stretch near NUS or instant and processed food from 7-1, which brings me to the third level of the diet. SE model in which my physical and living conditions influence my food choices. Physical Environment Unhealthy food choices are easily available and accessible on campus. Studies have shown that students who live far from their parents have shown dietary changes and have a higher intake of instant and processed foods. Which is relevant to me. I often buy food from 7 to 11 because it's only a 3 minute walk from my lounge, making it a convenient dinner spot. My options are instant and processed foods, which contain preservatives and are high in salt which can increase the risks of high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. Recently, NUS has also increased the number of food and drink vending machines, particularly in the Central Library and Utown. Since I study there very often, I have easy access to them and consume them regularly. Perhaps the vending machines at NUS can offer healthier options for people like me who study late. As mentioned, I like tasty food and I love eating Mala (numb and spicy food). Along with the growing trend of mala, more and more canteens in NUS are starting to sell it, which makes its consumption accessible to me. Mala is unhealthy as it is oily, salty and most of the.