Diet-specific social support among rural adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The relationships among primary sources of social support in adolescents' environments (family and friends) and eating behaviors (fat and fiber consumption) were examined in a sample of rural adolescents.


METHODS
Cross-sectional baseline health surveys were administered in classrooms as part of a larger randomized trial evaluating a cancer education program.


METHODS
Data were collected in middle schools drawn from 22 rural counties in Virginia and New York.


METHODS
1942 sixth graders with a modal age of 12 years, roughly equal gender distribution, and racially diverse (53% white, 37% black).


METHODS
Variables included a 10-item scale of social support from family and friends for healthy eating, a brief food frequency questionnaire estimating daily grams of fat and fiber intake, and demographics (age, gender, race).


METHODS
Hierarchical multiple regressions and analyses of variance (ANOVAs).


RESULTS
Controlling for demographics, family and friend support were found to significantly predict fat (P < .05) and fiber (P < .01) intake. Black respondents reported higher support from friends than did white adolescents (F = 47.49, P < .01).


CONCLUSIONS
Support for healthful eating was related to healthful dietary practices and differed among racial subgroups. Identifying and fostering sources of positive support for healthful eating is critical to developing effective health promotion programs targeting high-risk adolescents.
Stanton
Cassandra A
CA
Division of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Brown Medical School, Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Cassandra_Stanton@brown.edu
Green
Scott L
SL
Fries
Elizabeth A
EA
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009518:New York; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012424:Rural Population; D012944:Social Support; D014768:Virginia
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber