Self-Control Constructs Related to Measures of Dietary Intake and Physical Activity in Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose-To test self-regulation concepts in relation to dietary intake and physical activity patterns in adolescence, which we predicted to be influenced by components of a self-control model.Methods-A survey was conducted with a multiethnic sample of 9th grade public school students in a metropolitan area (N = 539). Confirmatory analysis tested the measurement structure of selfcontrol. Structural equation modeling tested the association of self-control constructs with measures of fruit and vegetable intake, saturated-fat intake, physical activity, and sedentary behavior.Results-Confirmatory analysis of 14 indicators of self-control showed best fit for a two-factor structure, with latent constructs of good self-control (planfulness) and poor self-control (impulsiveness). Good self-control was related to more fruit and vegetable intake, more participation in sports, and less sedentary behavior. Poor self-control was related to more saturated-fat intake and less vigorous exercise. These effects were independent of gender, ethnicity, and parental education, which themselves had relations to diet and exercise measures. Multiple-group modeling indicated that effects of self-control were comparable across gender and ethnicity subgroups.Conclusions-Self-control concepts are relevant for patterns of dietary intake and physical activity among adolescents. Attention to self-control processes may be warranted for prevention programs to improve health behaviors in childhood and adolescence. Keywords self-control; diet; exercise; adolescents; gender; ethnicity Epidemiologic data have drawn increasing attention to diet and exercise patterns among young persons. Between 1980 and 2002, the prevalence of obesity in the US has doubled among adults and tripled among children and adolescents [1]; similar patterns have been observed in other countries [2]. Obtaining a better understanding of patterns of dietary intake and physical activity has public health significance because excess weight and inadequate exercise have been linked to increased morbidity from several diseases. The magnitude of increases in weight in the population of young persons has indicated a need for new approaches to weight-related behavior [3,4], and research conducted in adolescence provides an opportunity to study the origins of these behavioral patterns. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. The present research was based on a self-control model as a theoretical approach to understanding health behavior patterns. For substance use, theoretical papers have outlined how behavioral and emotional regul...

The role of emotion regulation in childhood obesity: implications for prevention and treatment

“…Only very few observational studies have assessed the relationship between ER and obesity in children. Therefore, related factors such as executive function and self-control, which include similar aspects of ER, have also been included in the overview shown in Table 2 (51,52, [65][66][67][68][69][70][71] . Although the evidence is modest, better ER-related skills were associated with a healthier diet (more fruit/vegetables and less snack food, although not all studies reported significant findings), higher physical activity and, in some cases, a healthier weight status.…”

Dietary restraint and self-regulation in eating behavior

“…In contrast, higher self-control has been linked to greater dietary health in adolescents. 109,110 Greater capacity to delay gratification is associated with lower levels of overweight and a slower rate of weight gain in childhood, [111][112][113] and better self-regulation skills at the age of 2 years predicted lower BMI and lower risk of obesity by the age of 5 years. 114 The literature on executive function provides a neuropsychological perspective on self-regulation.…”

Alcohol Use and Problem Severity: Associations With Dual Systems of Self-Control

“…In general, good self-control has been associated with adaptive functioning, such as decreased externalizing symptoms, healthy dietary intake, increased physical activity, increased academic competence, more positive life events, decreased substance use, and fewer substance use-related problems (Wills et al, 2006(Wills et al, , 2007a(Wills et al, , 2007b. Furthermore, it attenuates the relationship between stressful life events and substance use (Wills et al, 2008).…”

“…Furthermore, it attenuates the relationship between stressful life events and substance use (Wills et al, 2008). In contrast, poor control has been associated with involvement in deviant peer groups, negative life events, increased internalizing and externalizing symptoms, poor dietary intake, a sedentary lifestyle, friends who use substances, adolescent substance use, and substance use problems (Wills et al, 2006(Wills et al, , 2007a(Wills et al, , 2007b. Thus, examining the relationship between these constructs and problematic alcohol use is important.…”