Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Although fruit and vegetable consumption is highly recommended for a healthy and balanced daily diet, several European countries do not meet these recommendations. In Italy, only 45% of young people are consuming at least one portion of vegetables per day. Therefore, this paper aims to understand t...
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doaj-6477b1d44aee4e57a74431bc529e6ff72020-11-24T21:17:50ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432015-09-01797633765010.3390/nu7095357nu7095357Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned BehaviourDavide Menozzi0Giovanni Sogari1Cristina Mora2Department of Food Science, University of Parma, via Kennedy 6, 43125 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Food Science, University of Parma, via Kennedy 6, 43125 Parma, ItalyDepartment of Food Science, University of Parma, via Kennedy 6, 43125 Parma, ItalyAlthough fruit and vegetable consumption is highly recommended for a healthy and balanced daily diet, several European countries do not meet these recommendations. In Italy, only 45% of young people are consuming at least one portion of vegetables per day. Therefore, this paper aims to understand the main determinants of vegetables consumption among young adults to suggest possible intervention strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a samples of Italian students (n = 751), using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as a conceptual framework. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to test the TPB predictors for vegetable consumption, and the role of background factors (socio-demographic and personal characteristics) in improving the TPB model’s explaining power. Overall, 81% and 68%, respectively, of intentions and behaviour variance is explained by the TPB model. Socio-demographic and personal characteristics were found to influence intentions and behaviour indirectly by their effects on the theory’s more proximal determinants. Interventions should be targeted to improve perceived behavioural control (PBC), attitudes and subjective norms that significantly affect intentions. Tailored interventions for male students, enrolled in courses other than food science, and doing less physical activity may have a larger effect on behavioural change.http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/7/9/5357vegetables consumptiontheory of planned behaviour (TPB)structural equation model (SEM)intentionbackground factors |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Davide Menozzi Giovanni Sogari Cristina Mora |
spellingShingle |
Davide Menozzi Giovanni Sogari Cristina Mora Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour Nutrients vegetables consumption theory of planned behaviour (TPB) structural equation model (SEM) intention background factors |
author_facet |
Davide Menozzi Giovanni Sogari Cristina Mora |
author_sort |
Davide Menozzi |
title |
Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour |
title_short |
Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour |
title_full |
Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour |
title_fullStr |
Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour |
title_full_unstemmed |
Explaining Vegetable Consumption among Young Adults: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour |
title_sort |
explaining vegetable consumption among young adults: an application of the theory of planned behaviour |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Nutrients |
issn |
2072-6643 |
publishDate |
2015-09-01 |
description |
Although fruit and vegetable consumption is highly recommended for a healthy and balanced daily diet, several European countries do not meet these recommendations. In Italy, only 45% of young people are consuming at least one portion of vegetables per day. Therefore, this paper aims to understand the main determinants of vegetables consumption among young adults to suggest possible intervention strategies. A cross-sectional study was conducted on a samples of Italian students (n = 751), using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) as a conceptual framework. A structural equation model (SEM) was developed to test the TPB predictors for vegetable consumption, and the role of background factors (socio-demographic and personal characteristics) in improving the TPB model’s explaining power. Overall, 81% and 68%, respectively, of intentions and behaviour variance is explained by the TPB model. Socio-demographic and personal characteristics were found to influence intentions and behaviour indirectly by their effects on the theory’s more proximal determinants. Interventions should be targeted to improve perceived behavioural control (PBC), attitudes and subjective norms that significantly affect intentions. Tailored interventions for male students, enrolled in courses other than food science, and doing less physical activity may have a larger effect on behavioural change. |
topic |
vegetables consumption theory of planned behaviour (TPB) structural equation model (SEM) intention background factors |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/7/9/5357 |
work_keys_str_mv |
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