Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 22, 2026

Assessment of Social Transmission of Food Preferences Behaviors
Published on: January 25, 2018
Social cognitive mediators of dietary behavior change in adolescent girls
Brianne E McCabe1, Ronald C Plotnikoff2, Deborah L Dewar1
1Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Objectives:
To examine potential mediators of adolescent girls' dietary behavior change in the Nutrition and Enjoyable Activity for Teen Girls (NEAT Girls) intervention for obesity prevention.
Methods:
Participants were 294 adolescent girls attending 12 secondary schools located in low-income communities of New South Wales, Australia. Hypothesized social cognitive mediators of dietary behavior change were assessed using valid and reliable scales.
Results:
The intervention effects on dietary outcomes and hypothesized mediators were not statistically significant. However, changes in hypothesized mediators were associated with changes in key dietary behaviors.
Conclusions:
Continued research is needed to examine effective strategies for improving dietary outcomes in youth, and to explore alternative theoretical mechanisms of dietary behavior change.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Schemas
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Cognitive Development During Adolescence
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques VI
Motivation and Self-Determination
Motivation, the driving force behind behavior, plays a pivotal role at every stage of the change process. The research...

