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Assessment of Fruit and Vegetable Intake Behavior Among Adolescents in Hangzhou, China

The Indian Journal of Pediatrics volume 79, pages 1218–1223 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the fruit and vegetable (FV) intake of adolescents, assess factors influencing intake and discuss health education strategies related to this behavior.

Methods

In Hangzhou, China, 861 students aged 13.68 ± 1.03 years were randomly recruited to carry out a cross-sectional, school-based survey. The design of the survey questionnaire was based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of Behavior Change. Results of the survey rated FV consumption and children’s readiness to assume healthier dietary choices. The study design incorporated the four core constructs of TTM: stages of change, processes of change, decisional balance and self-efficacy. Results were assessed by chi-square tests, analysis of variance, Tukey’s post-hoc tests and logistic regression analysis.

Results

Majority of the participants were in the TTM contemplation stage of change. The average number of FV servings among participants was 3.12 ± 1.41 per day. The specific process of change, number of decisional balance pros (as opposed to cons), and self-efficacy ratings were positively correlated with stage of change transition (Spearman r > 0, P < 0.01). Stage transition, higher scores on self-efficacy and lower scores on cons predicted higher FV consumption (β > 0, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The use of TTM may be a powerful personalized means of decreasing poor dietary behaviors and promoting healthy behaviors, compared to traditional methods of behavioral change.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge Dr. Greg Norman for permission to translate and use the scales developed by his research group for the PACE project. They would also like to extend their gratitude to the students who participated in the study.

Conflict of Interest

None.

Role of Funding Source

This research was supported with funding from Hangzhou Science and Technology Bureau (20080433T07).

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine and Health Management, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China

    Chenjia Mao, Liangwen Xu, Li Xu, Haiyan Ma & Tingjie Liu

  2. Department of Literature and History Education, Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China

    Xuping Qu

  3. Department of Student Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of Yuhang District, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China

    Hanqiong Hu & Qifa Yang

  4. Department of Medicine and Health Management, Hangzhou Normal University, 9#218, 16 Xuelin Street, Xiasha, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China

    Liangwen Xu

  5. Department of Science and Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital (Binjiang Branch) Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China

    Chenjia Mao

Authors
  1. Chenjia Mao
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  2. Liangwen Xu
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  3. Li Xu
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  4. Haiyan Ma
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  5. Tingjie Liu
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  6. Xuping Qu
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  7. Hanqiong Hu
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  8. Qifa Yang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Liangwen Xu.

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Mao, C., Xu, L., Xu, L. et al. Assessment of Fruit and Vegetable Intake Behavior Among Adolescents in Hangzhou, China. Indian J Pediatr 79, 1218–1223 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-011-0538-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-011-0538-2

Keywords

  • Transtheoretical model
  • Fruit intake
  • Vegetable intake
  • Adolescent