Factors of fruit and vegetable intake by race, gender, and age among young adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To explore demographic differences in individual, social, and environmental factors potentially related to fruit and vegetable intake.


METHODS
Self-report questionnaires administered to a convenience sample of middle school students during regular classes.


METHODS
Black and white adolescents, 11 to 15 years of age (N = 736).


METHODS
Measures included self-efficacy, family dinner frequency, normative beliefs, outcome expectations, modeling, availability, preferences, snack choice, and demographics.


METHODS
Chi-square, general linear models, and Poisson and linear regressions as appropriate.


RESULTS
Black participants reported greater social influences than did white participants, whereas white adolescents reported greater family environmental influences on fruit and vegetable intake. The oldest adolescents reported lower self-efficacy, peer modeling, family dinner frequency, and fruit and vegetable preferences compared with younger adolescents. White participants and females reported a higher preference for vegetables than did black participants and males. Regression models for self-efficacy and snack choice explained 41% and 34% of the variance, respectively. Preferences for vegetables and parental modeling were the strongest correlates of self-efficacy. Self-efficacy was the strongest correlate of snack choice.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreases in several factors with age highlight the importance of intervention for this age group. Future research is needed for a better understanding of the formation and modification of self-efficacy and snack choice.
Granner
Michelle L
ML
Prevention Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, USA. mgranner@sc.edu
Sargent
Roger G
RG
Calderon
Kristine S
KS
Hussey
James R
JR
Evans
Alexandra E
AE
Watkins
Ken W
KW
D000293:Adolescent; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables; D044465:White People