Psychological and Social Predictors of Changes in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Strategic Insights -

A study from England assessed psychological and social factors influencing changes in fruit and vegetable consumption over a 12-month period. The research involved 271 men and women from a low-income population who received either brief behavioral and nutrition education counseling. The results showed that increases in fruit and vegetable intake were higher in the behavioral counseling condition than in the nutrition education condition. The study also found that short-term changes in dietary self-efficacy, encouragement, anticipated regret, perceived benefits, and knowledge of recommended intake predicted 12-month changes in fruit and vegetable consumption.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 271 men and women from a low-income population who received either brief behavioral and nutrition education counseling.
  • Greater increases in fruit and vegetable intake were achieved in the behavioral than in the nutrition education condition (1.49 vs 0.87 portions per day, p=0.021).
  • Increases in fruit and vegetable intake were predicted by baseline social support for dietary change but not by baseline psychological measures.
  • Short-term changes in dietary self-efficacy, encouragement, anticipated regret, perceived benefits, and knowledge of recommended intake predicted 12-month changes in fruit and vegetable consumption independently of gender, age, ethnicity, income, and baseline intake.
  • These factors accounted for 51% of the superiority of behavioral counseling over nutrition education.
  • The study was conducted by Andrew Steptoe and colleagues at University College London.
  • The research findings were published in Health Psychology (Psychological and social predictors of changes in fruit and vegetable consumption over 12 months following behavioral and nutrition education counseling. Health Psychol, 2004;23(6):574-581).

Statistics:

  • 271 men and women from a low-income population participated in the study.
  • Greater increases in fruit and vegetable intake were achieved in the behavioral condition (1.49 portions per day) compared to 0.87 portions per day in the nutrition education condition (p=0.021).
  • The factors that predicted 12-month changes in fruit and vegetable consumption accounted for 51% of the superiority of behavioral counseling over nutrition education.

Sources:

  • Health Psychology (Psychological and social predictors of changes in fruit and vegetable consumption over 12 months following behavioral and nutrition education counseling. Health Psychol, 2004;23(6):574-581).
  • American Psychological Association, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242, USA.