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Behavioural and cognitive processes adults use to change their fruit and vegetable consumption
Author(s) -
Cook Amelia S,
O'Leary Fiona,
AllmanFarinelli Margaret
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.479
H-Index - 31
eISSN - 1747-0080
pISSN - 1446-6368
DOI - 10.1111/1747-0080.12147
Subject(s) - transtheoretical model , behavior change , behaviour change , cognition , psychology , population , gerontology , consumption (sociology) , scale (ratio) , medicine , psychological intervention , environmental health , social psychology , psychiatry , social science , physics , quantum mechanics , sociology
Aim Although the Transtheoretical M odel's processes of change have been investigated for improving fruit and vegetable intake in adults, no studies have been conducted in A ustralia. To help understand what might enable A ustralian adults to change, we assessed the relationship between stages and processes of change. Methods A convenience sample of university students and employees (n = 105; female = 77) aged 18–60 years participated in this cross‐sectional study. Validated questionnaires that measure stages and processes of change for fruit and vegetable consumption were completed. The process of change questionnaire used 40 items, with responses on a 5‐point L ikert scale ranging from ‘never’ to ‘repeatedly’. Results Ninety‐eight per cent of the sample was in the precontemplation, preparation or maintenance stage. Most differences in process use occurred between precontemplation and the combined contemplation/preparation stages. This latter displayed higher cognitive ( P = 0.001) and behavioural process use ( P = 0.01). Individual processes predominantly responsible for these differences were consciousness raising, dramatic relief, self re‐evaluation and self liberation. Conclusions While there are limitations regarding study design and population, the results suggest that when designing a program to increase fruit and vegetable intake, targeting these processes may assist participants' progression from precontemplation to preparation. Additional research is necessary to critically examine process use between preparation and maintenance stages.