title: Predicting adolescents' intake of fruits and vegetables.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore potential predictors of adolescents' fruit and vegetable intake by expanding on current theory and drawing from other adolescent research.
  
  
  METHODS
  This research reports on baseline and interim data from a school-based intervention study. Data were collected through surveys administered to students at the beginning and end of their 7th grade year.
  
  
  METHODS
  The students attended 16 public schools in Minnesota.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected on 3878 students; approximately half were female and 67% were white. All students in the 7th grade cohort were invited to participate in the surveys and over 94% completed both surveys.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our dependent variable, fruit and vegetable intake, was assessed by a validated fruit and vegetable food frequency scale. Predictive factors assessed included parenting style, spirituality/religiosity, depressive symptoms, and other commonly assessed predictors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Generalized linear mixed model regression. Omnibus test of association using P <.05 is reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjective norms, barriers, knowledge, usual food choice, parenting style, spirituality/religiosity, and depressive symptoms were statistically significant predictors of intake. The model explained about 31% of the variance in fruit and vegetable consumption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To better understand adolescents' fruit and vegetable intake, we must explore novel predictors. Our results need to be replicated, and more exploratory research in this field is needed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. lytle@epi.umn.edu
authors.forename: Leslie A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Lytle
authors.forename: Sherri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Varnell
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Story
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: Amanda S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Birnbaum
authors.forename: Martha Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Kubik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables