title: The proof is in the eating: subjective peer norms are associated with adolescents' eating behaviour.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate associations of self-perceived eating-related peer norms (called 'subjective peer norms') with adolescents' healthy eating intentions and intake of healthy and unhealthy food.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data were collected in a large international survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two types of subjective peer norms were assessed: perceived peer encouragement of healthy eating and perceived peer discouragement of unhealthy eating. Outcome variables were healthy eating intentions, intake of healthy food (fruits and vegetables) and intake of unhealthy food (snacks and soft drinks).
  
  
  METHODS
  Over 2500 European (pre-)adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years participated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjective peer norms were associated with all three outcome variables. While both perceived encouragement of healthy eating and perceived discouragement of unhealthy eating were related to intentions, only peer encouragement of healthy eating was related to intakes of both healthy and unhealthy food.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjective peer norms play a role in adolescent eating behaviour and as such are an important target for health promotion. Addressing norms that encourage healthy eating may be more promising in changing behaviour than norms that discourage unhealthy eating.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology,Utrecht University,Post Box 80140,3508 TC Utrecht,The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F Marijn
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Stok
authors.affiliation: 2Communication,Philosophy and Technology: Centre for Integrative Development,Wageningen University and Research Centre,Wageningen,The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Emely
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Vet
authors.affiliation: 3National Centre in HIV Social Research,University of New South Wales,Sydney,Australia.
authors.forename: John B F
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: de Wit
authors.affiliation: 4Trauma,Health, & Hazards Center,University of Colorado,Colorado Springs,CO,USA.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Luszczynska
authors.affiliation: 6Psychology Department in Warsaw,University of Social Sciences and Humanities,Warsaw,Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Safron
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology,Utrecht University,Post Box 80140,3508 TC Utrecht,The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Denise T D
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: de Ridder
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D000067074:Peer Influence; D010465:Perception
keywords: Adolescents