A study of some aspects of food-related behaviour among a group of men

A sample of 151 men, mainly industrial employees, completed a questionnaire to measure participation in food-related activities, recent dietary changes, and 14 personality traits from Cattell's 16 personality factor inventory. Men's food-related participation tended more to influencing rather than task-performing; it was greater among younger men and those with wives employed outside the home. Multiple regression analysis suggested that personality characteristics are of greater importance in predicting food-related participation than are demographic characteristics, including education. Factor analysis of questionnaire items on dietary change revealed five factor dimensions of dietary change; men who participated more in food-related activities reported more dietary changes in the recommended direction, particularly with respect to three factors labelled sweets/pastries, fast foods/snacks and condiments/fatty extras. Results of studies on psycho-social influences on nutrition behaviour have implications for nutrition education programs.