title: The reasoned/reactive model: A new approach to examining eating decisions among female college dieters and nondieters.
abstract: Female college students are prone to unhealthy eating patterns that can impact long-term health. This study examined female students' healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors with three decision-making models. Specifically, the theory of reasoned action, prototype/willingness model, and new reasoned/reactive model were compared to determine how reasoned (logical) and reactive (impulsive) factors relate to dietary decisions. Females (N=583, Mage=20.89years) completed measures on reasoned cognitions about foods (attitudes, subjective norms, nutrition knowledge, intentions to eat foods), reactive cognitions about foods (prototypes, affect, willingness to eat foods), dieting, and food consumption. Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed the new reasoned/reactive model to be the preeminent model for examining eating behaviors. This model showed that attitudes were related to intentions and willingness to eat healthy and unhealthy foods. Affect was related to willingness to eat healthy and unhealthy foods, whereas nutrition knowledge was related to intentions and willingness to eat healthy foods only. Intentions and willingness were related to healthy and unhealthy food consumption. Dieting status played a moderating role in the model and revealed mean-level differences between dieters and nondieters. This study highlights the importance of specific factors in relation to female students' eating decisions and unveils a comprehensive model for examining health behaviors.
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR 41, Richardson, TX 75080, USA. Electronic address: holly.ruhl@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ruhl
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR 41, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
authors.forename: Shayla C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Holub
authors.affiliation: The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 W. Campbell Rd., GR 41, Richardson, TX 75080, USA.
authors.forename: Elaine A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Dolan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D003657:Decision Making; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Affective associations; Dietary restraint; Nutrition knowledge; Prototype/willingness model; Reasoned/reactive model; Theory of reasoned action