Psychosocial correlates of fruit and vegetable consumption among African American men

To determine the best predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption among African American men age 35 years and older.

Data (n = 291) from a 2001 nationally representative mail survey commissioned by the American Cancer Society.

291 African American men age 35 years and older.

(1) total fruits and vegetables without fried potatoes, (2) total fruit with juice, and (3) total vegetables without fried potatoes. Independent variables included 3 blocks of predictors: (1) demographics, (2) a set of psychosocial scales, and (3) intent to change variables based on a theoretical algorithm.

Linear regression models; analysis of variance for the intent to change group. Alpha = .05.

Regression model for total fruits and vegetables, significant psychosocial predictors: social norms, benefits, tangible rewards, and barriers-other. Total fruit with juice: social norms, benefits, tangible rewards. Total vegetables, no fried potatoes: tangible rewards, barriers-other interests.

For African American men, fruit consumption appears to be motivated by perceived benefits and standards set by important people in their lives; vegetable consumption is a function of extrinsic rewards and preferences for high-calorie, fatty foods. The results suggest that communications to increase fruit and vegetable consumption should be crafted to reflect differences in sources of motivation for eating fruits versus eating vegetables.