What are the psychological requirements for increasing fruit and vegetable intake in young people? Psychological theory suggests behaviour modification is driven by ten…
Abstract
Purpose
What are the psychological requirements for increasing fruit and vegetable intake in young people? Psychological theory suggests behaviour modification is driven by ten experiential and behavioural “processes of change”. However, their role in food choice remains unclear. Some of these mechanisms may be nothing more than a proxy for self‐efficacy, a dominant factor in behaviour change. Thus, the aim of this study is to delineate the importance of processes of change (POCs) in fruit and vegetable intake, over and beyond self‐efficacy.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was based on a questionnaire survey assessing POCs and self‐efficacy in relation to change in fruit and vegetable intake. Participants were 150 university undergraduates.
Findings
MANOVA revealed significant differences in both experiential and behavioural processes across stages of behaviour change. These resources were more copious at advanced stages. Controlling for self‐efficacy via MANCOVA negated stage differences in consciousness raising. Overall, though, the contribution of experiential and behavioural processes in fruit and vegetable uptake transcended differentials in self‐efficacy. The unique or direct contribution of consciousness raising requires further investigation.
Research limitations/implications
The findings may not generalise to an older more ethnically diverse population.
Practical implications
Fruits and vegetables interventions may require a mixture of cognitive, self‐evaluative, and behavioural treatments, over and beyond self‐efficacy enhancements.
Originality/value
Although previous studies have demonstrated the importance of POCs in fruit and vegetable intake this study shows that, at least in young adults, these associations largely transcend self‐efficacy, a key driver in behaviour change.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to assess the utility of rationalistic constructs for predicting fruit and vegetable intake in children. It was hypothesised that children's gain‐loss…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the utility of rationalistic constructs for predicting fruit and vegetable intake in children. It was hypothesised that children's gain‐loss evaluations will predict their stage of uptake irrespective of important additional variables.
Design/methodology/approach
Over 200 pupils from a Derbyshire secondary school completed a cross‐sectional questionnaire assessing stages‐of‐change (precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance), gain‐loss considerations, prior consumption, self‐efficacy, and attitude.
Findings
Discriminant function analysis revealed self‐efficacy, attitude, and previous consumption as significant predictors of group membership for both fruit and vegetable intake. Group centroids indicated clear separation of earlier from later stages, and transitional from other stages. Gain‐loss appraisals failed to predict stage membership. Finally, 63.4 and 59.1 per cent of original grouped cases for vegetable and fruit consumption, respectively, were correctly classified. However, classification accuracy varied across stages.
Research limitations/implications
The sample was predominantly Caucasian and from a suburban area. Thus, the generality of these findings to children from other demographics is unclear.
Practical implications
Interventions promoting fruit/vegetable intake in children may lack efficacy if they emphasise possible outcomes (e.g. benefits) associated with eating these foods. Modifying opinions and suggesting easier ways to increase consumption may achieve better results.
Originality/value
Previous research has demonstrated the importance of gain‐loss considerations in adult's stage of fruit/vegetable intake. The current paper extends this literature to children; it appears rationalistic constructs play a negligible role in children when considered within the context of other variables.