Processes underlying young women's decisions to eat fruits and vegetables (original) (raw)
Related papers
Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences
BACKGROUND Consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with the reduction of many chronic diseases. Transtheoretical model is one of the most common models used for studies on nutrition. The objective of this study is to evaluate the processes of change across stages of change for fruits and vegetables consumption. MATERIALS AND METHODS 600 literate women of Gilan-e-Gharb city (a west part of Iran) who were selected by random sampling method participated in this cross-sectional study. Data gathering tools was a questionnaire that consisted of 30 questions which included demographic (n= 5), stages of change (n= 5) and processes of change (n= 20) as well as 24 hours recall questionnaire for fruits and vegetables consumption. We assessed the internal consistency questions using Cronbach's Alpha and validity by S-CVI. Statistical analysis used: Data were analysed by SPSS 19 using the T-test, ANOVA and Chi-square. RESULTS The majority of subjects (89.5%) belonged to the passive stages of change (pre-contemplation, contemplation and preparation) and only 10.5 percent were in active stages (action and maintenance). Average daily consumption of fruits and vegetables was 3.4 ± 0.96 servings, which was lowest in pre-contemplators and increased until the maintenance stage (p < .001). Mean score of cognitive and behavioural processes were higher in maintenance stage and lower in pre-contemplation stage. CONCLUSION Given the important role of the cognitive and behavioural processes in promoting people from passive stages to active stages of change, we suggest implementation of these processes by using appropriate strategies in educational intervention for promoting consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Motivating 18- to 24-Year-Olds to Increase Their Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 2006
Objective This study assessed the effectiveness of a 4-month intervention using stage-based newsletters, computer-based communication, and motivational interviewing to increase fruit and vegetable consumption by college students aged 18 to 24 years. Design Participants were stratified by stage of change for fruit and vegetable consumption and randomized to an intervention or control group. Participants completed the staging algorithm for fruit and vegetable intake, which included a one-item food frequency question, a 26-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), an 18-item decisional balance questionnaire, and a five-item self-efficacy questionnaire at baseline and completion of study. Subjects A convenience sample of 437 college students enrolled in a rural, land grant university was enrolled in the study. Only nondietetics majors between ages 18 to 24 years were included in the study. A total of 314 students finished the study for a completion rate of 72%. Intervention After baseline staging and randomization, the intervention group participants received four stage-based newsletters, one motivational interview, and an individually tailored e-mail follow-up over a 4-month period. Control group participants only received assessment at baseline and at completion. Main outcome measures Two fruit and vegetable instruments, a one-item food frequency question, and a 26-item FFQ measured daily consumption of fruits and vegetables at baseline and postintervention. Statistical analyses performed The SAS system for Windows, version 8 (1999, SAS Institute, Inc, Cary, NC), was used for analysis, including the following tests: PROC GLM, PROC FREQ, and PROC NPAR1WAY, Kruskal-Wallis, Fisher, Wilcoxon rank sum, and 2 . Results Fruit and vegetable consumption increased significantly more for the intervention group than the control group. Consumption increased in the intervention group by one serving a day for both instruments compared with 0.4 servings a day in the control group for a one-item instrument and no change in the control group for a 26-item FFQ. Conclusions. This intervention is an effective way to increase fruit and vegetable consumption by young adults.
Nutrition Research and Practice, 2014
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Understanding individual’s intention, action and maintenance to increase fruit and vegetable intake is an initial step in designing nutrition or health promotion programs. This study aimed to determine stages of change to increase fruit and vegetable intake and its relationships with fruit and vegetable intake, self-efficacy, perceived benefits and perceived barriers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 348 public university staff in Universiti Putra Malaysia. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire and two days 24-hour diet recall were used. RESULTS: Half of the respondents (50%) were in preparation stage, followed by 43% in action/maintenance, 7% in pre-contemplation/contemplation stages. Respondents in action/maintenance stages had significantly higher self-efficacy (F = 9.17, P < 0.001) and perceived benefits (F =5.07, P < 0.01) while respondents in pre-contemplation/contemplation and preparation stages had significantly higher perceived barriers (F = 4.83, P < 0.05). Perceived benefits tend to outweigh perceived barriers pre-ceding to taking action. Self-efficacy is important in motivating individuals to increase fruit and vegetable intake as self-efficacy and perceived barriers crossed over between preparation and action/maintenance. Respondents in action/maintenance stages had the highest adjusted mean serving of fruit and vegetable intake (F = 4.52, P < 0.05) but the intake did not meet recommendation. CONCLUSION: Intervention strategies should emphasize on increasing perceived benefits and building self-efficacy by providing knowledge and skills to consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables in order to promote healthy changes in having high fruit and vegetable intake.
Psychosocial Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption
Appetite, 1995
The '5+ a day' fruit and vegetable servings recommendation was introduced in New Zealand in 1994, but consumption has remained low in young adults ever since. This study aimed to identify psychosocial determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption among New Zealand university students approximately a decade after the guidelines' introduction. Twenty-nine students, aged 18-24 years, took part in focus group interviews. Important determinants included taste and health awareness/knowledge. Flatmates and partners had the greatest social influence. Cost and availability were major barriers to consumption. To improve consumption participants suggested: cooking sessions providing quick/easy recipes; morevaried nutritional information; 'made-to-measure' interventions; increasing awareness of cheap sources of fruit/vegetables; and increasing campus availability of fruit. Determinants including a negative attitude, a lack of self-efficacy and an unawareness of dietary guidelines/health consequences should be considered when developing interventions for this group, whilst a variety of different delivery channels should be used. Participants in the study were not representative of all university students, who generally have a different lifestyle to other young adults and specific determinants for fruit/vegetable consumption. Consequently, additional research is required among other young adults and university students with lower fruit and vegetable intake, so that promotional strategies can be specifically targeted.
Psychosocial determinants of fruit and vegetable intake in adult population: a systematic review
International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2010
The '5+ a day' fruit and vegetable servings recommendation was introduced in New Zealand in 1994, but consumption has remained low in young adults ever since. This study aimed to identify psychosocial determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption among New Zealand university students approximately a decade after the guidelines' introduction. Twenty-nine students, aged 18-24 years, took part in focus group interviews. Important determinants included taste and health awareness/knowledge. Flatmates and partners had the greatest social influence. Cost and availability were major barriers to consumption. To improve consumption participants suggested: cooking sessions providing quick/easy recipes; morevaried nutritional information; 'made-to-measure' interventions; increasing awareness of cheap sources of fruit/vegetables; and increasing campus availability of fruit. Determinants including a negative attitude, a lack of self-efficacy and an unawareness of dietary guidelines/health consequences should be considered when developing interventions for this group, whilst a variety of different delivery channels should be used. Participants in the study were not representative of all university students, who generally have a different lifestyle to other young adults and specific determinants for fruit/vegetable consumption. Consequently, additional research is required among other young adults and university students with lower fruit and vegetable intake, so that promotional strategies can be specifically targeted.
2014
Background and Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of two subsequent intervention components (motivational and self-regulatory components), placed in different order, to promote fruit and vegetable (FV) intake. Methods: After baseline assessment, university students (N = 205, aged 18-26 years) were allocated to two groups. One group received a motivational intervention (outcome expectancies, risk perception, and task self-efficacy) followed by a self-regulatory intervention (planning and dietary selfefficacy) after 17 days. The second group received the same intervention conditions in the opposite order. Follow-up assessments were done after another 17 days. Results: Both intervention sequences yielded gains in terms of FV intake and self-efficacy. However, this gain was only due to the self-regulatory component whereas the motivational component did not contribute to the changes. Moreover, changes in intention and self-efficacy mediated between intervention sequence and follow-up behavior, suggesting that improving these proximal predictors of FV intake was responsible for the behavioral gains. Conclusions: Findings highlight the superiority of a self-regulatory intervention over a motivational intervention when it comes to dietary changes in this sample of young adults. Moreover, changes in dietary selfefficacy may drive nutritional changes.
Psychosocial Predictors of Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Adults
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2008
Background: Adequate fruit and vegetable intake has been found to promote health and reduce the risk of several cancers and chronic diseases. Understanding the psychological determinants of fruit and vegetable intake is needed to design effective intervention programs.
Preventive Medicine, 2005
We have recently shown that brief behavioral counseling based on the stage of change (SOC) model stimulates greater increases in fruit and vegetable intake over 12 months than nutritional education in adults living in a low-income urban area. We tested the hypothesis that behavioral counseling would overcome the greater obstacles to change in precontemplators and contemplators compared with those initially in the preparation stage.
Motivations for fruit and vegetable consumption in the UK Women's Cohort Study
Public Health Nutrition, 2002
Background: Despite recommendations to increase fruit and vegetable consumption within the UK population, intakes are still too low. In order to stimulate dietary behaviour change the determinants of food choice need to be explored. Objectives: To investigate how the priorities of high consumers of fruit and vegetables differ from those of low consumers, with respect to food choice motivations, and to identify what value high and low consumers place on different aspects of food choice behaviour. Design: A 4-day food diary and a questionnaire, including The Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) and a measure of Stage of Change (SOC) for fruit and vegetable consumption, were administered to subjects. Motivation scores from the FCQ were compared with fruit and vegetable intake and SOC data. Subjects: Nine hundred and ninety-eight females, aged 35 -69 years, participating in the UK Women's Cohort Study. Results: In a multiple linear regression model, including age, education level and all FCQ motivations, the strongest motivations specifically affecting fruit and vegetable intake were health and natural content. It was found that, for a one point increase (measured on a scale of 0-4) in health and natural content scores, fruit and vegetable consumption increased by 1.11 portions (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5-1.7) and 0.84 portions (95% CI 0.4-1.3), respectively ðP , 0:01Þ: The SOC evaluation showed significant associations with portions of fruit and vegetables consumed ðP , 0:01Þ: Women whose SOC was classed as maintenance phase were found to score higher on health, natural content, weight control and ethical concern factors ðP , 0:01Þ: These women also scored lower on convenience questions ðP , 0:01Þ: Conclusion: In this particular group of women the most important motivating factors for food choice, within the high fruit and vegetable consumers, were health and natural content of the food.