Why do people high in self-control eat more healthily? Social cognitions as mediators.
Ann Behav Med
; 47(2): 242-8, 2014 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24114328
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Trait self-control and social cognitions both predict dietary behaviors, but whether self-control is associated with more beneficial diet-related cognitions, and the effect of self-control on diet mediated by them, has rarely been examined.PURPOSE:
We hypothesized that the effect of self-control on healthy diet is explained by more proximal diet-related social cognitive factors.METHODS:
Altogether, 854 military conscripts (age M = 20) completed questionnaires on trait self-control and social cognitive factors (self-efficacy, outcome expectations, risk perceptions, intentions and planning) upon entering the service and a food frequency questionnaire after 8 weeks.RESULTS:
Trait self-control was associated with more positive cognitions regarding healthy diet. The mediation hypothesis received support for fruit and vegetable but only partially for fast food consumption.CONCLUSION:
Individuals high in trait self-control eat more healthily because they have higher self-efficacy, more positive taste expectations, stronger intentions and more plans, compared to those low in self-control.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Social Control, Informal
/
Social Perception
/
Health Behavior
/
Self Efficacy
/
Diet
/
Feeding Behavior
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Aspects:
Equity_inequality
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Ann Behav Med
Journal subject:
CIENCIAS DO COMPORTAMENTO
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article