OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived health support, motivation and competence for healthy diet. METHOD: 105 university students (20.0 ± 1.0 years) participated in the dietary survey. Health guidance based on the results of the dietary survey was provided to the participants. The guidance was conducted by the students in the program of national registered dietitian course. After the guidance, following three elements were measured; 1st was the perceived degree of being respected autonomy at the guidance; how one's own autonomy was respected and how one perceived it during the guidance, 2nd was motivation and 3rd was competence for healthy eating. RESULTS: Path analysis showed that perceived health support as being respected autonomy associated to autonomous motivation for healthy eating (β=.48), and autonomous motivation associated to competence to maintain healthy eating (β=.49). The degree of perceived being respected autonomy did not relate to controlled motivation for healthy eating. The controlled motivation did not relate to competence for healthy eating habits. CONCLUSION: These results indicated that when university students in the program of national registered dietitian course provided dietary guidance to their peers, offering support that values autonomy leads to autonomous motivation and competence for healthy eating habits.