title: Adolescents' attitudes about and consumption of low-fat foods: associations with sex and weight-control behaviors.
abstract: The objective of the study was to examine adolescents' attitudes about and consumption of low-fat foods by sex and weight-control behaviors. Ninth- to 12th-grade students (n=1,083) in 20 Minnesota high schools completed mail surveys (response rate=74%) as part of baseline measurements (Fall 2001) in a randomized controlled trial (TACOS: Trying Alternative Cafeteria Options in Schools). Linear models examined attitudes and consumption of low-fat foods by sex and weight-control behaviors. Girls were more likely than boys to report positive attitudes and consumption of low-fat foods (all P<.01). Weight-control practices were associated with more positive attitudes about and higher consumption of low-fat foods. Promoting low-fat snacks to adolescents who are interested in weight control may be an effective component of nutrition intervention programs because these students have more positive attitudes about low-fat foods. Dietitians' efforts to educate adolescents about the benefits and healthfulness of low-fat foods would aid intervention programs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55454-1015, USA. fulkerson@epi.umn.edu
authors.forename: Jayne A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Fulkerson
authors.forename: Simone A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Story
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D001294:Attitude to Health; D018752:Diet, Fat-Restricted / Q000523:psychology*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D014675:Vegetables
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats