Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Volume 41, Issue 1 , Pages 3-10, January 2009

Understanding Adherence to 5 Servings of Fruits and Vegetables per Day: A Theory of Planned Behavior Perspective

  • Chris M. Blanchard, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress for correspondence: Chris M. Blanchard, Dalhousie University, Department of Medicine, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Room 205, Centre for Clinical Research, 5790 University Avenue, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 1V7; Phone: (902) 473-3789; Fax: (902) 473-6869
    • ,
  • Janet Fisher, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Health and Physical Education, School of Education, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia
    • ,
  • Phillip B. Sparling, PhD

      Affiliations

    • School of Applied Physiology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
    • ,
  • Tiffany Hunt Shanks, PhD

      Affiliations

    • School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
    • ,
  • Eric Nehl

      Affiliations

    • Department of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington
    • ,
  • Ryan E. Rhodes, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Behavioral Medicine Laboratory, Kinesiology Program, School of Physical Education, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
    • ,
  • Kerry S. Courneya, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Faculty of Physical Education, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
    • ,
  • Frank Baker, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health, School of Public Health, New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York

Abstract 

Objective

The primary purpose of the present study was to examine the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in explaining the 5-A-Day intentions and behavior of college students. A secondary purpose was to determine whether any of the TPB relationships were moderated by gender or ethnicity.

Design

A prospective design that asked college students to complete a baseline TPB 5-A-Day questionnaire and a fruit and vegetable consumption measure 1 week later.

Setting

Undergraduate fitness and health classes at 2 universities in the southern United States.

Participants

511 college students with a mean age of 19.8 years (standard deviation = 2.71).

Main Outcome Measures

TPB variables and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Analyses

Path analyses and invariance (ie, to examine ethnic and gender moderated) analyses.

Results

Affective attitude (β = .16, P < .05) and perceived behavioral control (β = .59, P < .05) were significant predictors of intention, which in turn was a significant predictor of behavior (β = .32, P < .05). Follow-up invariance analyses showed that none of the TPB relationships was moderated by gender or ethnicity.

Conclusions and Implications

The TPB may be a useful framework on which to base a 5-A-Day intervention for male and female college students of different ethnic backgrounds.

Key Words: 5-A-Day, Theory of Planned Behavior, gender, ethnicity

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 This project was supported by a Research Centers in Minority Institutions award, #G12RR03062, from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health.

PII: S1499-4046(08)00003-1

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2007.12.006

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Volume 41, Issue 1 , Pages 3-10, January 2009

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