This literature review will explore the different factors that influence the eating habits that one develops over the course of one's life. In particular, this review will focus on the influences that affect students' eating habits. Eating habits can be defined as the habitual decisions a person makes when deciding what foods to eat. It can also refer to the reasons why people make the decision to eat the foods they do. Although a healthy diet is ideal, many students do not maintain a healthy diet. A healthy diet refers to a diet that contains appropriate amounts of vitamins, minerals and calories. This can be achieved by eating a certain amount of fruits, vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates. Many students do not follow a healthy diet due to their eating habits which are based solely on social, cultural, economic and political factors. At this stage of life, students rely entirely on the availability of food to determine when and where they will eat. Often due to stressIn the late 1990s, scientific research detailing the negative impact of unhealthy eating habits on the body increased. Adults with greater knowledge or awareness of this research are more likely to eat healthier and have lower average daily calories consumed (Sanger-Katz, 2015). These studies provided more evidence that poor dietary habits can significantly increase the risk of chronic diseases. For example, Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher's report – “Call for Action to Prevent and Reduce Overweight and Obesity” summarizes the effects of unhealthy eating habits (Sanger-Katz, 2015). The increase in research and data on the effects of dietary habits has led to a shift in Americans' attitudes toward a greater desire to live healthier lives..