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Why Do People High in Self-Control Eat More Healthily? Social Cognitions as Mediators

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Annals of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

Background

Trait self-control and social cognitions both predict dietary behaviors, but whether self-control is associated with more beneficial diet-related cognitions, and the effect of self-control on diet mediated by them, has rarely been examined.

Purpose

We hypothesized that the effect of self-control on healthy diet is explained by more proximal diet-related social cognitive factors.

Methods

Altogether, 854 military conscripts (age M = 20) completed questionnaires on trait self-control and social cognitive factors (self-efficacy, outcome expectations, risk perceptions, intentions and planning) upon entering the service and a food frequency questionnaire after 8 weeks.

Results

Trait self-control was associated with more positive cognitions regarding healthy diet. The mediation hypothesis received support for fruit and vegetable but only partially for fast food consumption.

Conclusion

Individuals high in trait self-control eat more healthily because they have higher self-efficacy, more positive taste expectations, stronger intentions and more plans, compared to those low in self-control.

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Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Social Psychology Unit, Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 54, 00014, Helsinki, Finland

    Nelli Hankonen Ph.D.

  2. National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland

    Nelli Hankonen Ph.D., Marja Kinnunen M.Soc.Sc., Pilvikki Absetz Ph.D. & Piia Jallinoja Ph.D.

  3. National Consumer Research Centre, Helsinki, Finland

    Piia Jallinoja Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Nelli Hankonen Ph.D.
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  2. Marja Kinnunen M.Soc.Sc.
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  3. Pilvikki Absetz Ph.D.
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  4. Piia Jallinoja Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Nelli Hankonen Ph.D..

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Hankonen, N., Kinnunen, M., Absetz, P. et al. Why Do People High in Self-Control Eat More Healthily? Social Cognitions as Mediators. ann. behav. med. 47, 242–248 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9535-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9535-1

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