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Healthy-eater identity and self-efficacy predict healthy eating behavior: a prospective view
Shaelyn M Strachan1, Lawrence R Brawley
1School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Canada. shaelyn.strachan@uottawa.ca
Journal of Health Psychology
|June 12, 2009
Summary
A strong healthy-eater identity and high self-efficacy significantly predict healthy eating behaviors, including fruit and vegetable intake and consumption of low-nutrition foods. These factors improve dietary choices.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Nutrition Psychology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Understanding factors influencing healthy eating is crucial for public health.
- Identity and Self-efficacy Theories provide frameworks for examining health behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between healthy-eater identity, self-efficacy for healthy eating, and actual healthy eating behaviors.
- To determine the predictive power of identity and self-efficacy on fruit and vegetable intake and consumption of foods low in nutritional value.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 101 university students and staff.
- Measures included healthy-eater identity, nutrition knowledge, and self-efficacy for specific food intake.
- Dietary intake was assessed via self-report recall two weeks later.
Main Results:
- Healthy-eater identity significantly predicted healthy eating outcomes, even after accounting for nutrition knowledge.
- Self-efficacy further enhanced the prediction of both fruit and vegetable consumption and intake of low-nutrition foods.
Conclusions:
- Both identity as a healthy eater and self-efficacy are important determinants of dietary behavior.
- Interventions aimed at promoting healthy eating may benefit from targeting both identity and self-efficacy.
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