Differences in psychosocial variables by stage of change for fruits and vegetables in older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To describe differences in demographic and psychological variables by stage of change for five servings of fruits and vegetables per day in older adults.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey with data collected in the participant's home or the project office by interviewers.


METHODS
1,253 community-residing individuals 60 years or older (mean age=75 years) living in East Providence, RI.


METHODS
Stage of change; decisional balance; processes of change; self-efficacy; dietary intake measured by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Fruit and Vegetable Screener, the 5 A Day Screener, and the NIH Fat Scan; demographics; and anthropometrics.


METHODS
Variables were compared by stage of change using analysis of variance for continuous variables and chi(2) analysis for categorical variables. Servings of fruits and vegetables were transformed (square root) prior to analyses.


RESULTS
There was a strong effect of stage of change on intake measured by the Fruit and Vegetable Screener [F(2, 1203)=109, P<.001, eta(2)=.154] and the 5 A Day Screener [F(2, 1203)=128, P<.001, eta(2)=.175] with a linear increase from precontemplation to action/maintenance. There was an overall stage effect on decisional balance, processes of change, and self-efficacy [Wilks's lambda=.703, F(30, 2132)=13.72, P<.001, multivariate eta(2)=.162], and significant univariate effects for all variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-assessed servings ("How many servings do you usually eat?") can be used for stage classification for older adults. Interventions for older adults in early stages should focus on increasing perceived benefits of healthful eating and cognitive process use. Self-efficacy as well as behavioral processes seem to be important in attaining maintenance.
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, 02881, USA. GWG@URI.EDU
Geoffrey W
GW
Greene
Nancy
N
Fey-Yensan
Cynthia
C
Padula
Susan
S
Rossi
Joseph S
JS
Rossi
Philip G
PG
Clark
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011593:Psychology, Social; D012237:Rhode Island; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014675:Vegetables
D004041:Dietary Fats