Psychosocial mediation of fruit and vegetable consumption in the body and soul effectiveness trial.
In this study the authors examined psychosocial variables as mediators for fruit and vegetable (FV) intake in a clustered, randomized effectiveness trial conducted in African American churches. The study sample included 14 churches (8 intervention and 6 control) with 470 participants from the intervention churches and 285 participants from the control churches. The outcome of FV intake and the proposed mediators were measured at baseline and at 6-month follow-up. Structural equation modeling indicated that the intervention had direct effects on social support, self-efficacy, and autonomous motivation; these variables also had direct effects on FV intake. Applying the M. E. Sobel (1982) formula to test significant mediated effects, the authors confirmed that social support and self-efficacy were significant mediators but that autonomous motivation was not. Social support and self-efficacy partially mediated 20.9% of the total effect of the intervention on changes in FV intake. The results support the use of strategies to increase social support and self-efficacy in dietary intervention programs.
Fuemmeler
Bernard F
BF
Health Promotion Research Branch, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. bernard.fuemmeler@duke.edu
Mâsse
Louise C
LC
Yaroch
Amy L
AL
Resnicow
Ken
K
Campbell
Marci Kramish
MK
Carr
Carol
C
Wang
Terry
T
Williams
Alexis
A
D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005638:Fruit; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011584:Psychology; D012067:Religion; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014675:Vegetables