Can the Theory of Planned Behavior predict dietary intention and future dieting in an ethnically diverse sample of overweight and obese veterans attending medical clinics?

Abstract

Obesity has become a world-wide epidemic; in the United States (U.S.) approximately two-thirds of adults are classified as overweight or obese. Military veterans’ numbers are even higher, with 77% of retired or discharged U.S. veterans falling in these weight categories. One of the most common methods of changing one’s weight is through dieting, yet little is known regarding the factors that facilitate successful dieting behavior. The current investigation tested the Theory of Planned Behavior’s (TPB) ability to predict dietary intention and future dieting in a sample of 84 overweight and obese patients attending medical clinics at a Veterans Affairs Hospital in the southwestern part of the U.S. Participants primarily were male (92%) and ethnic/racial minorities (58%). Perceived need and anticipated regret were added to the standard TPB model. While the TPB predicted dietary intention, it did not significantly account for improved dietary behaviors. Anticipated regret significantly enhanced the basic TPB’s ability to predict intention to diet, while perceived need did not. These findings highlight the difficulty in predicting sustained change in a complex behavior such as dieting to lose weight. The need for more work with older, overweight/obese medical patients attending veterans’ facilities is stressed, as is the need for such work with male patients and ethnic minorities in particular.

Effect of the Theory of Planned Behavior Education on Nutritional Behaviors of Overweight and Obese Women Before Pregnancy

“…subjective norm is a perceived social pressure to conduct behavior that involves individual beliefs about whether the key individuals approve or reject the behavior. The perceived behavioral control is the measure of perceived control over the behavior (9). Various studies used this theory to determine the attitudes and beliefs associated with nutritional behaviors (8).…”

A Structural Model Explaining the Health Behaviors among Adults with Metabolic Syndrome: Theory of Planned Behavior Approach

“…증가하기 때문에 [4], 예방을 위한 근본적이고 체계적인 관리가 요구된다. 또한 대사증후군의 진단지표는 신체활동 부족이나 불규칙적 식습관, 스트레스 등과 같은 부적절한 생활습관과 밀 접하게 연결되어 있어 [5,6] [12]이나 대사증후군의 개별 지표인 제2형 당뇨병 [13][14][15], 고혈압 [16], 비만 [17][18][19][20]…”

Association between Nutrition Behavior and Colorectal Cancer Diet Recommendation

“…Other factors, including nutrition knowledge, behavior, and beliefs, were identified in CRC studies through the health behavior model (HBM) and the theory of planned behavior model (TPB) [ 10 , 11 ]. The HBM focuses on individuals’ beliefs regarding health.…”