Comparing the Utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior Between Boys and Girls for Predicting Snack Food Consumption: Implications for Practice
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Date
2014-01-01Author
Paul Branscum
Manoj Sharma
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to use the theory of planned behavior to explain two types of snack food consumption among boys and girls (girls n = 98; boys n = 69), which may have implications for future theory-based health promotion interventions. Between genders, there was a significant difference for calorie-dense/nutrient-poor snacks (p = .002), but no difference for fruit and vegetable snacks. Using stepwise multiple regression, attitudes, perceived behavioral control, and subjective norms accounted for a large amount of the variance of intentions (girls = 43.3%; boys = 55.9%); however, for girls, subjective norms accounted for the most variance, whereas for boys, attitudes accounted for the most variance. Calories from calorie-dense/nutrient-poor snacks and fruit and vegetable snacks were also predicted by intentions. For boys, intentions predicted 6.4% of the variance for fruit and vegetable snacks (p = .03) but was not significant for calorie-dense/nutrient-poor snacks, whereas for girls, intentions predicted 6.0% of the variance for fruit and vegetable snacks (p = .007), and 7.2% of the variance for calorie-dense/nutrient-poor snacks (p = .004). Results suggest that the theory of planned behavior is a useful framework for predicting snack foods among children; however, there are important differences between genders that should be considered in future health promotion interventions.
Citation
Branscum, P., & Sharma, M. (2014). Comparing the Utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior Between Boys and Girls for Predicting Snack Food Consumption: Implications for Practice. Health Promotion Practice, 15(1), 134-140. doi: 10.1177/1524839913481974