Investigating Factors Effect on Fruit and Vegetable Consumption: Applying Social Cognitive Theory

Introduction: Regular fruit and vegetable consumption is one of the preventative indicators for the development of obesity, disorders, and diseases. This study aimed to identify the determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption based on social cognitive theory (SCT) among first-grade high school female students. Methods: This Analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 264 high school female students who were selected through multi-stage random sampling from school students in Rafsanjan (Southern Iran). The data were collected through a demographic questionnaire, the seven-day fruit, and vegetable consumption frequency, and its determinants questionnaire that was developed based on the constructs of SCT. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 software through independent samples t-test, Pearson correlation, one-way Analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression analysis. The alpha is equal to 0.05. Results: The mean (SD) score daily fruit and vegetable intakes were 3.43 (1.67) and 2.30 (1.20) units per day, respectively. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that environmental factors (β= 0.165, p= 0.009) and behavioral skills (β= 0.152, p= 0.025) have a significant effect on fruit consumption score. Behavioral skills (β= 0.151, p= 0.022) and social support (β= 0.143, p= 0.049) have significant effect on vegetables consumption score, the constructs of SCT explained 71% of the variances in fruit consumption and 9.8% of the variances in vegetable consumption. Mother s job (p= 0.032) and family income (p= 0.024) have a significant effect on fruit and vegetables consumption. Conclusion: Fruit and vegetable intakes were less than the WHO recommended level. Therefore, attention to environmental factors, behavioral skills, and social support is suggested.