title: Factors influencing adolescent whole grain intake: A theory-based qualitative study.
abstract: Whole grain consumption is associated with reduced risk of chronic disease. One-fifth of UK adults and children do not consume any whole grains, and adolescents have low consumption rates. Factors affecting whole grain intake among adolescents are not well understood. This study examined the socio-economic, environmental, lifestyle and psychological factors likely to influence consumption and explored whether outcomes aligned with behavioural predictors proposed in the Reasoned Action Approach. Five focus groups explored young people's attitudes towards, knowledge and consumption of wholegrain foods, as well as barriers to, and facilitators of, consumption. Participants were male and female adolescents (n = 50) aged 11-16 years from mixed socioeconomic backgrounds and ethnicities, recruited through schools in the city of Leeds, UK. Focus groups were analysed using thematic analysis. Most participants had tried wholegrain food products, with cereal products being the most popular. Many recognised whole grain health benefits related to digestive health but not those related to heart disease or cancers. Several barriers to eating whole grains were identified including: difficulties in identifying wholegrain products and their health benefits; taste and visual appeal; and poor availability outside the home. Suggested facilitators of consumption were advertisements and educational campaigns, followed by improved sensory appeal, increased availability and choice, and tailoring products for young people. All constructs of the Theory of Reasoned Action were identifiable in the data, suggesting that the factors influencing whole grain intake in adolescents are well captured by this model. Study outcomes may inform research and health promotion to increase whole grain intake in this age group.
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Epidemiology Group, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. Electronic address: fs11mk@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Maya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kamar
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Epidemiology Group, School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. Electronic address: c.e.l.evans@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. Electronic address: s.hugh-jones@leeds.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hugh-Jones
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004032:Diet; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013649:Taste; D006113:United Kingdom; D000067348:Whole Grains
keywords: Adolescents; Correlates; Focus groups; Qualitative research; Reasoned action approach; Wholegrain