Predictors of Intention to Eat 2.5 Cups of Vegetables among Ninth-grade Students Attending Public High Schools in Eastern North Carolina

Abstract 

Objective

To identify beliefs about eating 2.5 cups of vegetables and to assess how well these beliefs predict intention to eat them.

Design

A survey based on the Theory of Planned Behavior.

Setting

Two public high schools in 2 counties in eastern North Carolina.

Participants

157 ninth-grade students (mean age = 14.71 years [SD = 0.82]).

Analysis

Regression analysis was performed to assess how well the variables of the Theory of Planned Behavior predicted behavioral intention to eat 2.5 cups of vegetables.

Findings

Attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted 77.2% of variance of intention to eat 2.5 cups of vegetables (F [3, 154] = 178.05, P < .001). Attitude was the strongest predictor (β = 0.434, P < .001), followed by subjective norms (β = 0.372, P < .001) and perceived behavioral control (β = 0.159, P < .021).

Conclusions and Implications

Factors such as impact of parents and peers, availability of vegetables at home and in school, and making sure that vegetables offered to teens are tasty are important in increasing their intention to eat the recommended amount of vegetables. These factors could help education campaigns targeted toward teens be more successful.

Key Words: vegetables, Theory of Planned Behavior, students