Intention for healthy eating among southern Appalachian teens.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the intention for healthy eating and its correlates among southern Appalachian teens.


METHODS
Four hundred sixteen adolescents 14- to 16-years-old were surveyed with self-administered questionnaires.


RESULTS
About 30% of the adolescents surveyed had definite intentions to eat healthfully during the next 2 weeks. The scales for perceived behavior control, attitude, perceived eating habits of significant others, and social support were shown to be fairly reliable (Cronbach's alpha=0.60 to 0.88). Perceived behavior control and attitude were positively associated with the intention for healthy eating.


CONCLUSIONS
Better behavior control and more positive attitude may lead to a stronger intention for healthy eating.
Department of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA. wut@etsu.edu
Tiejian
T
Wu
Jeromy Blake
JB
Snider
Michael R
MR
Floyd
James E
JE
Florence
James Michael
JM
Stoots
Michael I
MI
Makamey
D000293:Adolescent; D001061:Appalachian Region; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male