title: Social Cognitive Determinants of Healthy Eating Behaviors in Late Adolescents: A Gender Perspective.
abstract: To investigate the impact of social cognitive determinants on healthy eating behaviors among adolescents, with a specific focus on gender differences.
  
  
  
  Cross-sectional analysis of survey data.
  
  
  
  Bangkok, Thailand.
  
  
  
  A total of 1,200 undergraduates from public and private universities.
  
  
  
  Dependent variable: healthy eating behaviors measured by the total score of 11 items adapted from the Australian Dietary Guideline Index.
  
  
  
  self-efficacy, intentions, outcome expectations, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, situations, social support from parents and guardians, and social support from peers (measured by 54 Likert-type items).
  
  
  
  Multiple linear regressions (α and P < .01).
  
  
  
  Self-efficacy, intentions, perceived barriers, and situations had statistically significant relationships with healthy eating behaviors (ß = .17, .16, -.15, and .19, respectively). The predictor variables explained 18.1% of variance. Healthy eating in male adolescents was best predicted by perceived barriers, whereas that in female adolescents was best predicted by situations.
  
  
  
  These results indicate that relevant agencies should deliver gender-specific approaches to promote healthy eating in adolescents. The findings demonstrate the need for further studies to explore a broader range of factors influencing adolescent eating behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Research Center, National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, Thailand. Electronic address: pananda.nida@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Pananda
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chansukree
authors.affiliation: Research Center, National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nitinai
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rungjindarat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000072001:Diet, Healthy / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: adolescents; diet healthfulness; eating behavior; gender differences; healthy eating