Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Using theory of planned behavior to predict healthy eating among Danish adolescents

Using theory of planned behavior to predict healthy eating among Danish adolescents Purpose – The purpose of the study was to apply the theory of planned behavior to predict Danish adolescents’ behavioral intention for healthy eating. Design/methodology/approach – A cluster sample survey of 410 students aged 11 to 16 years studying in Grade 6 to Grade 10 was conducted in Denmark. Findings – Perceived behavioral control followed by attitudes were the most important factors in predicting behavioral intention. Females and adolescents with a higher Body Mass Index were also found to have a stronger behavioral intention. Healthy eating was perceived to be beneficial and useful, and, to a lesser extent, interesting and desirable. Family, TV programs, and teachers were influential socialization agents. Research limitations/implications – The survey responses may be affected by a social desirability bias. The survey includes a non‐probability sample and results may not be generalized to all adolescents, even in Denmark. Practical implications – The results may inform educators and policy makers in designing health communication interventions, particularly in making socializing agents aware of their role in fostering healthy eating behaviors in adolescents. As perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of behavioral intention, interventions and messages communicated to adolescents on healthy eating should aim to empower them with knowledge, ability and determination to eat more healthily. Originality/value – The study uses a predictive, theoretical framework (TPB) to investigate healthy eating, whereas previous efforts among Danish adolescents have primarily used descriptive approaches. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Health Education Emerald Publishing

Using theory of planned behavior to predict healthy eating among Danish adolescents

Alice Grønhøj; Tino Bech‐Larsen; Kara Chan; Lennon Tsang
Health Education , Volume 113 (1): 14 – Dec 28, 2012
Download PDF
14 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/emerald-publishing/using-theory-of-planned-behavior-to-predict-healthy-eating-among-bQXlGfiH3u
Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2013 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
0965-4283
DOI
10.1108/09654281311293600
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of the study was to apply the theory of planned behavior to predict Danish adolescents’ behavioral intention for healthy eating. Design/methodology/approach – A cluster sample survey of 410 students aged 11 to 16 years studying in Grade 6 to Grade 10 was conducted in Denmark. Findings – Perceived behavioral control followed by attitudes were the most important factors in predicting behavioral intention. Females and adolescents with a higher Body Mass Index were also found to have a stronger behavioral intention. Healthy eating was perceived to be beneficial and useful, and, to a lesser extent, interesting and desirable. Family, TV programs, and teachers were influential socialization agents. Research limitations/implications – The survey responses may be affected by a social desirability bias. The survey includes a non‐probability sample and results may not be generalized to all adolescents, even in Denmark. Practical implications – The results may inform educators and policy makers in designing health communication interventions, particularly in making socializing agents aware of their role in fostering healthy eating behaviors in adolescents. As perceived behavioral control was the strongest predictor of behavioral intention, interventions and messages communicated to adolescents on healthy eating should aim to empower them with knowledge, ability and determination to eat more healthily. Originality/value – The study uses a predictive, theoretical framework (TPB) to investigate healthy eating, whereas previous efforts among Danish adolescents have primarily used descriptive approaches.

Journal

Health Education – Emerald Publishing

Published: Dec 28, 2012

Keywords: Adolescents; Health; Eating; Diet; Social marketing; Attitudes; Behaviour change; Denmark; Students; Personal health

References

  • From intentions to actions: a theory of planned behaviour
    Ajzen, I.
  • Understanding Attitudes and Predicting Social Behaviour
    Ajzen, I.; Fishbein, M.
  • Factors predicting staying in school to eat lunch
    Beaulieu, D.; Godin, G.
  • Development of food preferences
    Birch, L.L.
  • Mass communication and pro‐environmental behaviour: waste recycling in Hong Kong
    Chan, K.
  • Promoting healthy eating among adolescents: a Hong Kong study
    Chan, K.; Tsang, L.
  • Communicating healthy eating to adolescents
    Chan, K.; Prendergast, G.; Bech‐Larsen, T.; Grønhøj, A.
  • The role of socializing agents in communicating healthy eating to adolescents: a cross cultural study
    Chan, K.; Prendergast, G.; Grønhøj, A.; Bech‐Larsen, T.
  • A focus theory of normative conduct: recycling the concept of norms to reduce littering in public places
    Cialdini, R.B.; Reno, R.R.; Kallgren, C.A.
  • How do parents’ childfeeding behaviours influence child weight: implications for childhood obesity policy?
    Clark, H.R.; Goyder, E.; Bissell, P.; Blank, L.; Peters, J.
  • How do parents’ child‐feeding behaviours influence child weight? Implications for childhood obesity policy
    Croll, J.K.; Clark, H.R.; Goyder, P.; Bissell, P.; Blank, L.; Peters, J.
  • The effects of television advertisements for junk food versus nutritious food on children’s food attitudes and preferences
    Dixon, H.G.; Scully, M.L.; Wakefield, M.A.; White, V.M.; Crawford, D.A.
  • White paper on a strategy for Europe on nutrition, overweight and obesity related health issues, Brussels
    European Commission
  • Adolescents’ perceptions of their peers’ health norms
    Evans, N.; Gilpin, E.; Farkas, A.J.; Shenassa, E.; Pierce, J.P.
  • Danskernes Kostvaner 1995‐2006 (“Dietary habits of Denmark 1995‐2006”)
    Fagt, S.; Biltoft‐Jensen, A.; Matthiesen, J.; Groth, M.V.; Christensen, T.; Trolle, E.
  • Børn og Unges Måltidsvaner 2000‐2004 (“Children and young people’s meal habits 2000‐2004”)
    Fagt, S.; Christensen, T.; Groth, M.V.; Biltoft‐Jensen, A.; Matthiesen, J.; Trolle, E.
  • Applying the theory of planned behaviour to healthy eating behaviours in urban Native American youth
    Fila, S.A.; Smith, C.
  • Belief, Attitude, Intention and Behaviour
    Fishbein, M.; Ajzen, I.
  • Action speaks louder than words: the effect of personal attitudes and family norms on adolescents’ pro‐environmental behaviour
    Grønhøj, A.; Thøgersen, J.
  • What parents think: children and healthy eating
    Kelly, J.; Turner, J.J.; McKenna, K.
  • Development of an interactive web intervention to promote healthy lifestyles among children and adolescents
    Maon, S.; Edirippulige, S.; Batch, J.; Ware, R.
  • Why do adolescents eat what they eat? Personal and social environmental predictors of fruit, snack and breakfast consumption among 12‐14‐year‐old Dutch students
    Martens, M.K.; van Assema, P.; Brug, J.
  • Prevalence and trends in overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Denmark
    Matthiessen, J.; Groth, M.V.; Fagt, S.; Biltoft‐Jensen, A.; Andersen, J.S.; Trolle, E.
  • The 8 dietary recommendations
    Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
  • A review of family and social determinants of children’s eating patterns and diet quality
    Patrick, H.; Nicklas, T.A.
  • It’s time to eat! Using mobile games to promote healthy eating
    Pollak, J.P.; Gay, G.; Byrne, S.; Wagner, E.; Retelny, D.; Humphreys, L.
  • Obesity prevention in early adolescence: student, parent, and teacher views
    Power, T.G.; Bindler, R.C.; Goetz, S.; Daratha, K.B.
  • Understanding the influence of perceived norms on behaviours
    Rimal, R.N.; Real, K.
  • Food intake patterns among Australian adolescents
    Savige, G.S.; Ball, K.; Worsley, A.; Crawford, D.
  • Augmenting the theory of planned behaviour: roles for anticipated regret and descriptive norms
    Sheeran, P.; Orbell, S.
  • The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Danish school children
    Søren, K.; Jo, C.
  • Adolescents’ views of food and eating: identifying barriers to healthy eating
    Stevenson, C.; Doherty, G.; Barnett, J.; Muldoon, O.T.; Trew, K.
  • Determinants of diet quality among Canadian adolescents
    Storey, K.E.; Hanning, R.M.; Lambraki, A.; Driezen, P.; Fraser, S.N.; McCargar, L.J.
  • Undersøgelse af 11‐15 Åriges Livsstil og Sundhedsvaner 1997‐2006, (“A study of 11‐15 year‐olds’ life styles and health habits 1997‐2006”)
    Sundhedsstyrelsen
  • Determinants of healthy eating in children and youth
    Taylor, J.P.; Evers, S.; McKenna, M.
  • Inequalities in young people’s health. Health behaviour in school‐aged children
    World Health Organization
  • Obesity and overweight
    World Health Organization
  • Intention for healthy eating among Southern Appalachian teens
    Wu, T.; Snider, J.B.; Floyd, M.R.; Florence, J.E.; Storts, J.M.; Makamey, M.I.