Self-efficacy, habit strength, health locus of control and response to the personalised nutrition Food4Me intervention study
ISSN: 0007-070X
Article publication date: 9 July 2021
Issue publication date: 3 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Randomised controlled trials identify causal links between variables but not why an outcome has occurred. This analysis sought to determine how psychological factors assessed at baseline influenced response to personalised nutrition.
Design/methodology/approach
Web-based, randomised, controlled trial (RCT) was conducted across seven European countries. Volunteers, both male and female, aged over 18 years were randomised to either a non-personalised (control) or a personalised (treatment) dietary advice condition. Linear mixed model analysis with fixed effects was used to compare associations between internal and external health locus of control (HLoC), nutrition self-efficacy (NS-E) and self-report habit index (S-RHI) at baseline (N = 1444), with healthy eating index (HEI) and Mediterranean diet index (MDI) scores between conditions post-intervention (N = 763).
Findings
An increase in MDI scores was observed between baseline and six months in the treatment group which was associated with higher NS-E (p < 0.001), S-RHI (p < 0.001) and external HLoC (p < 0.001). Increase in HEI between baseline and six months in the treatment group was associated with higher NS-E (p < 0.001) and external HLoC (p = 0.009). Interaction between time and condition indicated increased HEI scores (p < 0.001), which were associated with higher S-RHI scores in the treatment than control group (p = 0.032). Internal HLoC had no effect on MDI or HEI.
Originality/value
Psychological factors associated with behaviour change need consideration when tailoring dietary advice. Those with weaker habit strength will require communication focussed upon establishing dietary habits and support in integrating advised changes into daily routine. Information on habit strength can also be used to inform how progress towards dietary goals is monitored and fed back to the individual. Those with stronger habit strength are more likely to benefit from personalised nutrition.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Food4Me is the acronym of the EU FP7 Project “Personalised nutrition: an integrated analysis of opportunities and challenges” (Contract No. KBBE. 2010.2.3–02, Project No. 265494) http://www.food4me.org/.
Author contributions: The intervention study was designed by JM, and MG. Psychological constructs for analysis were selected by LF, BS-K, AR, RP and AF. CC-M and KL were involved in data collection and analysis. The plan for analysis was devised by BS-K, BB, RP, IL and JM. BS-K drafted the manuscript. LF, JM, CC-M, RP, AR, SK and AF commented on the draft manuscript.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors know of no conflict of interest that could impact upon the integrity of these results. The research funder was not involved in the study design; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of data; writing of the report; or the decision to submit the report for publication. Materials and dataset are available from the corresponding author on request. All authors have approved the final submitted manuscript.
Citation
J Stewart–Knox, B., Rankin, A., P Bunting, B., J Frewer, L., Celis-Morales, C., M Livingstone, K., Fischer, A.R.H., Poínhos, R., Kuznesof, S., J Gibney, M. and Mathers, J.C. (2022), "Self-efficacy, habit strength, health locus of control and response to the personalised nutrition Food4Me intervention study", British Food Journal, Vol. 124 No. 1, pp. 314-330. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-03-2021-0221
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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