Psychosocial Determinants of Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Japanese Adolescents: A School-Based Study in Japan

Yoshiko Sato, Masamitsu Miyanaga and Da-Hong Wang
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Yoshiko Sato: Department of Biochemistry, Okayama University of Science, Okayama 700-0005, Japan
Masamitsu Miyanaga: Department of Biochemistry, Okayama University of Science, Okayama 700-0005, Japan
Da-Hong Wang: Department of Biochemistry, Okayama University of Science, Okayama 700-0005, Japan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-11

Abstract: A few studies in Japan have demonstrated positive attitudes, self-efficacy, social support, and perceived barrier were associated with fruit and vegetable (F&V) intake in adults; however, limited evidence addresses the association of psychosocial factors with F&V intake in adolescents. A cross-sectional study through a questionnaire survey was conducted at junior and senior high schools, and 933 students completed the questionnaire. Data were analyzed by X 2 test and Student t -test. The findings demonstrated 2.7% of participants were aware of the current recommendations for vegetable and 2.0% for fruit. Only 4% and 8.1% of participants reported they consumed recommended amount of vegetables and fruits. In comparison with males, females showed higher scores of attitude ( p < 0.01), responsibility ( p < 0.01), and social support ( p < 0.01). The barriers to vegetable intake were “I’m eating enough now”, “not always available when eating away from home”; the barriers to fruit intake were “don’t have a habit of having 100% juice or fruit in the morning”, and “cost too much”. The findings suggest the change of adolescents’ knowledge about what they should eat is needed in boosting F&V consumption. The development of an intervention program for adolescents needs to target socio-environmental factors such as family support, and nutritional education for early healthy habit formation.

Keywords: vegetable and fruit; psychosocial determinants; social support; perceived barrier; adolescents (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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