Eating patterns were studied in 1275 adolescents and young adults (aged 12-24 y). Factor analysis of 64 foods consumed weekly revealed 17 eating-pattern factors, accounting for 57% of the item variance. Factor I (12 food items from either the seafood or meat group) accounted for 8% of the variance, factor II (snacks), 5%, and factors III (fats and pasta) and IV (beef and chicken), 4% each. Remaining factors accounted for from 1.9% to 3.9%. The factors were effective in discriminating eating patterns across race and gender. Significant age effects were also noted for 10 of the 17 factors. Eating patterns for persons in the upper or lower quartiles differed consistently for specific cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Use of this statistical model to identify differences in eating patterns by race, gender, and CV risk factors during maturation can assist health professionals in targeting food sources for changing eating behavior.