[The relationship between fat intake behavior and psychological impact factor in adolescent]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Dietary fat intake is a critical factor in adolescent health.
• Understanding the psychological determinants of dietary behavior is essential for effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current status of dietary fat intake behavior among teenagers.
• To identify psychological factors influencing these behaviors within the transtheoretical model framework.

Main Methods:

• Multi-stage stratified cluster sampling of 3,448 middle and high school students in China.
• Utilized a validated Chinese version of adolescent dietary fat intake behavior psychological measurement scales.
• Analyzed behavior change stages, decision balance (pros and cons), self-efficacy, and process of change scores.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in behavior change stages were observed across gender, grade, and region.
• Boys were more in the precontemplation stage, while girls were more in contemplation/preparation.
• Process of change, decision balance (pros), and self-efficacy positively correlated with advancing behavior change stages, while decision balance (cons) showed an inverse relationship.

Conclusions:

• Teenagers' dietary fat intake behavior progresses through distinct stages.
• Psychological factors, particularly decision balance (pros), play a crucial role in modulating behavior change.
• Interventions should focus on enhancing strategies of change, decision balance (pros), and self-efficacy while addressing barriers related to decision balance (cons).