A study on young adults observed that while they enjoy and value time spent eating with others, 35 percent of males and 42 percent of females reported lacking time to sit down and eat a meal.

The researchers on the study also noted that "eating on the run" was related to higher consumption of unhealthy items like fast foods, and lower consumption of many healthy foods.

The results suggest that perceived time constraints are a common barrier to sitting down for meals. More relaxed social eating was associated with greater intake of vegetables, and with higher intakes of calcium and fiber among males. "Eating on the run" resulted in higher intakes of soft drinks, fast food and fat.