Parent outcome expectancies for purchasing fruit and vegetables: a validation.
OBJECTIVE
To validate four scales -- outcome expectancies for purchasing fruit and for purchasing vegetables, and comparative outcome expectancies for purchasing fresh fruit and for purchasing fresh vegetables versus other forms of fruit and vegetables (F&V).


METHODS
Survey instruments were administered twice, separated by 6 weeks.


METHODS
Recruited in front of supermarkets and grocery stores; interviews conducted by telephone.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty-one food shoppers with children (18 years or younger).


RESULTS
Single dimension scales were specified for fruit and for vegetable purchasing outcome expectancies, and for comparative (fresh vs. other) fruit and vegetable purchasing outcome expectancies. Item Response Theory parameter estimates revealed easily interpreted patterns in the sequence of items by difficulty of response. Fruit and vegetable purchasing and fresh fruit comparative purchasing outcome expectancy scales were significantly correlated with home F&V availability, after controlling for social desirability of response. Comparative fresh vegetable outcome expectancy scale was significantly bivariately correlated with home vegetable availability, but not after controlling for social desirability.


CONCLUSIONS
These scales are available to help better understand family F&V purchasing decisions.
Baranowski
Tom
T
Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030-2600, USA. tbaranow@bcm.tmc.edu
Watson
Kathy
K
Missaghian
Mariam
M
Broadfoot
Alison
A
Baranowski
Janice
J
Cullen
Karen
K
Nicklas
Theresa
T
Fisher
Jennifer
J
O'Donnell
Sharon
S
D000328:Adult; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D005638:Fruit; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012928:Social Desirability; D014675:Vegetables