Associations between perceived parent behaviors and middle school student fruit and vegetable consumption.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether (1) student perceptions of parent behaviors explain variations in fruit and vegetable consumption, (2) self-efficacy mediates this relationship, and (3) perceived home fruit and vegetable availability moderates this relationship.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Classrooms in 3 middle schools in 2 northeast Georgia counties.


METHODS
366 middle school students. The response and participation rates were 59% and 56%, respectively.


METHODS
Perceived authoritative parenting, perceived parent control, perceived parent modeling, perceived parent support, self-efficacy, perceived fruit and vegetable availability, and fruit and vegetable consumption.


METHODS
Hierarchical multiple regression; P <.05.


RESULTS
Perceived parent modeling, perceived parent support, self-efficacy, and perceived fruit and vegetable availability were significant predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption. The relationship between perceived parent support and fruit and vegetable consumption was mediated by self-efficacy. The relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and both perceived parent modeling and support was moderated by perceived fruit and vegetable availability.


CONCLUSIONS
Parents appear to moderately influence middle school student fruit and vegetable consumption. Educators might focus on improving home fruit and vegetable availability and student self-efficacy, as well as parent support and modeling. The level of availability might indicate where efforts should focus for enhancing parent behaviors.
Young
Elizabeth M
EM
Department of Nutrition, University of Tennessee, 213A Jessie Harris Building, 1215 Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-1920, USA. eyoung12@utk.edu
Fors
Stuart W
SW
Hayes
David M
DM
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005845:Georgia; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012574:Schools; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014481:United States; D014675:Vegetables / Q000600:supply & distribution