Truck drivers constitute a highly vulnerable population with very limited opportunities for healthy foods and healthy eating choices. This cross-sectional study assessed the utility of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in understanding and predicting healthy eating intention among Midwestern truck drivers in the United States. Participants were recruited through online trucker forums and advertisements at truck stops. Each participant completed an anonymous, web-based questionnaire that measured attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. One hundred and forty-six truck drivers responded, with the average Body Mass Index (BMI) 32.7 and working as a truck driver for 10.3 years. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis assessed the predictive value of individual TPB constructs and the model. The predictive model containing the TPB constructs explained 18% of the variance in healthy eating intention, with attitude and subjective norm making significant and unique contributions. With the variance explained, the findings minimally supported the utility of TPB in understanding and predicting healthy eating intention among the truck drivers. These findings should be interpreted in view of the study limitations; the small sample size and being a self-report study. Notwithstanding, the findings highlight the importance of attitude and subjective norms in understanding and predicting healthy eating intention among Midwestern truck drivers in the United States.
Because of its association with obesity, excessive "screen time" is a concern. Children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD's) have been found to spend much of their free time watching television more than children and adolescents without ASD's. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to determine if the time spent watching television, videos, playing video games and using other electronic devices contributed to overweight and obesity status among children and adolescents with ASD's compared to children and adolescents without ASD's. The current study analyzed data (n = 95,677) that had been previously collected through the 2011/2012 National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH). Children and adolescents with an ASD had significantly higher odds of being overweight or obese than children and adolescents without an ASD. Time watching television was a predictor of overweight/obesity status for children and adolescents both with ASD's and without ASD's. However, only children and adolescents with ASD's who used electronic devices four or more hours per day were significantly more likely to be overweight/obese than those who did not use electronic devices. A discussion of the results and limitations of the study are also provided.
College students consume less fruits and vegetables than MyPlate recommendations in the diet. Young adults need to develop healthy behaviors early to avoid chronic disease incidences. This study aimed to assess the impact of a blog-based nutrition education on six food groups (whole grain, fruit, vegetable, protein, dairy, oil) and omega-3 (n-3) fatty acids (FA) consumption in college students. A total of 86 students who registered in Spring 2012 at a southern university in the United States were participated. A 6-week education was studied, which one group received MyPlate information plus n-3 FA information, whereas the other group received MyPlate information only. There were significant differences on fruit, vegetable, and protein group consumption between the two groups, but no difference on n-3 FA consumption. There was significant difference in self-efficacy to include n-3 FA at meals among the two groups. This education might improve some food group consumption, but not on n-3 FA consumption in college students.
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