Predicting intentions to eat a healthful diet by Seventh‐Day Adventist college students; applying the Theory of Planned Behavior

Objective To assess intention to eat a healthful diet by college students attending two private Seventh‐Day Adventist universities. Methods A survey with statements based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was administered to a convenience sample of students (n = 359). Regression analysis was used to assess how well the variables of the Theory of Planned Behavior predicted behavioral intention to eat a healthful diet. Results Students were mostly African Americans (66%), females (60.4%), freshmen (37.6%), single (93.3%) and living in residence halls (74%). Students mean (SD) age was 20.3 (3.9) years. Attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavior control variables accounted for 40.3% of the variance in behavioral intention to eat a healthful diet. Perceived behavioral control had the greatest influence on intention (ƒÒ = 0.414, p < .001) followed by subjective norms (ƒÒ = 0.207, p < .001) and attitude (ƒÒ = 0.198, p < .001). Conclusion Students indicated that their hectic schedule had the biggest impact on their eating healthful diet. *East Carolina University, **Oakwood University, ***Southern Adventist University This study was not funded