Psychosocial correlates of fruit and vegetable consumption among African American men.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the best predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption among African American men age 35 years and older.


METHODS
Data (n = 291) from a 2001 nationally representative mail survey commissioned by the American Cancer Society.


METHODS
291 African American men age 35 years and older.


METHODS



METHODS
(1) total fruits and vegetables without fried potatoes, (2) total fruit with juice, and (3) total vegetables without fried potatoes. Independent variables included 3 blocks of predictors: (1) demographics, (2) a set of psychosocial scales, and (3) intent to change variables based on a theoretical algorithm.


METHODS
Linear regression models; analysis of variance for the intent to change group. Alpha = .05.


RESULTS
Regression model for total fruits and vegetables, significant psychosocial predictors: social norms, benefits, tangible rewards, and barriers-other. Total fruit with juice: social norms, benefits, tangible rewards. Total vegetables, no fried potatoes: tangible rewards, barriers-other interests.


CONCLUSIONS
For African American men, fruit consumption appears to be motivated by perceived benefits and standards set by important people in their lives; vegetable consumption is a function of extrinsic rewards and preferences for high-calorie, fatty foods. The results suggest that communications to increase fruit and vegetable consumption should be crafted to reflect differences in sources of motivation for eating fruits versus eating vegetables.
Moser
Richard P
RP
Behavioral Research Program, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD 20892-7326, USA.
Green
Valerie
V
Weber
Deanne
D
Doyle
Colleen
C
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D005638:Fruit; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014675:Vegetables