Determinants of fast food consumption among Iranian high school students based on planned behavior theory.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to identify some factors (beliefs and norms) which are related to fast food consumption among high school students in Isfahan, Iran. We used the framework of the theory planned behavior (TPB) to predict this behavior.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data were available from high school students (n = 521) who were recruited by cluster randomized sampling. All of the students completed a questionnaire assessing variables of standard TPB model including attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control (PBC), and the additional variables past behavior, actual behavior control (ABC).


RESULTS
The TPB variables explained 25.7% of the variance in intentions with positive attitude as the strongest (β = 0.31, P < 0.001) and subjective norms as the weakest (β = 0.29, P < 0.001) determinant. Concurrently, intentions accounted for 6% of the variance for fast food consumption. Past behavior and ABC accounted for an additional amount of 20.4% of the variance in fast food consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the present study suggests that the TPB model is useful in predicting related beliefs and norms to the fast food consumption among adolescents. Subjective norms in TPB model and past behavior in TPB model with additional variables (past behavior and actual behavior control) were the most powerful predictors of fast food consumption. Therefore, TPB model may be a useful framework for planning intervention programs to reduce fast food consumption by students.
Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Gholamreza
G
Sharifirad
Parastoo
P
Yarmohammadi
Leila
L
Azadbakht
Mohammad Ali
MA
Morowatisharifabad
Akbar
A
Hassanzadeh
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004435:Eating / Q000208:ethnology*; D057140:Fast Foods; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010465:Perception; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires