This literature review will explore the different factors that influence eating habits that develop throughout life. In particular, this review will focus on the influences that influence the eating habits of college students. Eating habits can be defined as the habitual decisions a person makes when deciding which foods to eat. It can also refer to why people make the decision to eat the foods they eat. While a healthy diet is ideal, many college students do not maintain a healthy diet. A healthy diet refers to a diet that contains the right amount of vitamins, minerals and calories. This can be achieved by eating a certain amount of fruits, vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates. Many college students do not eat a healthy diet due to their eating habits which are based solely on social, cultural, economic and political factors. During this stage of life, students rely entirely on the availability of food to determine when and where they will eat. Often due to stress During the late 1990s, there was a significant increase in scientific research detailing the negative impact that unhealthy eating habits had on people's bodies. Adults who have greater knowledge or awareness of this research are more likely to eat healthier and have a lower average daily calorie intake (Sanger-Katz, 2015). These studies have provided more evidence showing that unhealthy eating habits can substantially increase your chances of developing chronic diseases. For example, Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher's report – “Call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity,” summarizes these effects of unhealthy eating habits (Sanger-Katz, 2015). The increased amount of research and data on the effects of eating habits has led to a shift in Americans' attitudes toward a greater desire to live healthier