Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025

Studying Food Reward and Motivation in Humans
Published on: March 19, 2014
From motivation to mediterranean diet intention and behavior: a combined self-determination theory and theory of
Luigina Canova1, Miriam Capasso2, Marcella Bianchi1
1Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Objective:
The Mediterranean diet (MD) is recognized as one of the healthiest and most sustainable dietary patterns worldwide. This study combines the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) alongside past MD adherence behavior to predict MD adherence among young and adult Italians.
Methods And Measures:
Using a two-wave prospective design, 706 participants (Women = 60.5%, mean age = 31.82) completed measures of past behavior, SDT and TPB variables at baseline (T1) and reported their adherence behavior to MD two weeks later (T2).
Results:
Results revealed that both intention and past adherence to MD predicted actual adherence. In turn, affective attitude, descriptive norm, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and autonomous motivation were positively associated with intention. Past adherence further predicted autonomous motivation, affective attitude, and PBC, and indirectly influenced MD adherence at T2 through its effect on these factors and intention. Finally, invariance tests showed no differences between women and men and between student and non-student samples.
Conclusion:
Overall, our findings support the integration of TPB and SDT, emphasizing the need for interventions that address both conscious decision-making and established dietary habits, acknowledging the multifaceted nature of dietary behavior change.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Incentive Theory: Pull Theory of Motivation
The theory differentiates between...
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...
Ryan and Deci's Self-Determination Theory
Autonomy is the need to feel in control of one's actions and decisions. For example, a student who chooses their research topic is likely to be more engaged and motivated than one who...
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Motivational Cycle
The cycle begins with a need. This need can arise from various conditions, such as hunger, thirst, or temperature changes. For instance, when an individual feels cold, their body...
Humanistic Psychology
This approach...

