Determinants of (colic) vegetable consumption, discussing the theory of planned behaviour and compensatory health beliefs

Abstract

The study followed the behavioural epidemiology framework, focusing on assessment of the prevalence and identification of the factors that influence behaviour. A questionnaire was developed to measure the prevalence of (colic) vegetable behaviour and its determinants drawing on theoretical models of health behaviour change (e.g. Theory of Planned Behaviour, Compensatory Health Beliefs, Transtheoretical model of Change) and the outcomes of qualitative interviews with obese patients. A correlational study in the form of an online questionnaire was administered to 491 university students to test its validity and reliability and to understand healthy food behaviour in students. Exploratory factor analyses and reliability analyses were conducted to form the scales: habits (Cronbach’s α = .84), subjective norms (Cronbach’s α = .89), long-term attitude (Cronbach’s α = .66), short-term attitude (Cronbach’s α = .67), perceived control (Cronbach’s α = .74) and compensatory health beliefs (Cronbach’s α = .53) for vegetables in general. A hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to discover the determinants of vegetable consumption. Students report eating vegetables more often when they are with other people than when they are alone, and more often at home than when they go out for dinner. High perceived control, short-term and long-term attitudes correlate positively with the stages of change (TMC). The results for the student sample can be used in interventions to increase the (colic) vegetable consumption of students. The questionnaire will be used to measure the (colic) vegetable consumption frequency and its determinants in a representative sample of The Walloon population (n ~ 1000).