title: Nutrition-related cancer prevention cognitions and behavioral intentions: testing the risk perception attitude framework.
abstract: This study tested whether the risk perception attitude framework predicted nutrition-related cancer prevention cognitions and behavioral intentions. Data from the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey were analyzed to assess respondents' reported likelihood of developing cancer (risk) and perceptions of whether they could lower their chances of getting cancer (efficacy). Respondents with higher efficacy were more likely to report that good nutrition can prevent cancer, and they reported more preventive dietary changes, as compared to respondents with lower efficacy. Respondents with higher efficacy were more likely to report intentions to change their diets to prevent cancer, and they reported more preventive dietary changes to their own diets but only at higher levels of risk. Results suggest that to improve cognitions about the role of nutrition in cancer prevention, interventions should target cancer prevention efficacy; however, to increase intentions to change nutrition behaviors, interventions should target efficacy and risk perceptions.
authors.affiliation: National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7365, USA. helen@aya.yale.edu
authors.forename: Helen W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Burke Beckjord
authors.forename: Lila J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Finney Rutten
authors.forename: Bradford W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Hesse
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D055815:Young Adult