Stages of change and self-efficacy are related to consumption of food markers among Brazilian adolescents and young adults

• Published in: Frontiers in public health 2023-01, Vol.10, p.1006898-1006898
• Main Authors: Lima, Stefany Corrêa, Melo, Giselle Rhaisa do Amaral E, Schincaglia, Raquel Machado, Souza Lopes, Aline Cristine, Toral, Natacha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies; diet; food consumption; Fruit; Humans; nutritional knowledge; Public Health; Self Efficacy; stages of change; Transtheoretical Model; transtheoretical model (TTM); Vegetables; Young Adult
• ISSN: 2296-2565; 2296-2565
• DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1006898

This study aimed at analyzing the association between stages of change, consumption of food markers, and self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy eating practices, adjusted by nutritional knowledge, among Brazilian adolescents and young adults. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 347 individuals from schools in the Federal District, Brazil. They completed a self-administered questionnaire covering: consumption of food markers, stage of change, self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy eating practices, and nutritional knowledge. Adjusted logistic regression was conducted. Participants in pre-contemplation (OR = 0.22), contemplation (OR = 0.19), decision (OR = 0.13) and action (OR = 0.40) stages have less chance to have healthy eating than those in maintenance, including fruits and vegetables [pre-contemplation (OR = 0.23), contemplation (OR = 0.19), and decision (OR = 0.09)]. Adolescents and young adults in pre-contemplation (OR = 0.29) and contemplation (OR = 0.37) had lower chances of having low consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages compared to those in maintenance ( < 0.05). Adolescents and young adults in pre-contemplation (OR = 0.38) and contemplation (OR = 0.36) were less likely to have high self-efficacy scores than those in maintenance ( < 0.05). Higher score of self-efficacy was associated with a lower chance of having a high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR = 1.02; = 0.032). Regardless of nutritional knowledge, individuals in the earlier stages of change are less likely to have an adequate consumption of healthy foods markers, including fruits and vegetables, and low sugar-sweetened beverages consumption. They are also less likely to have high self-efficacy scores than those in maintenance. Nutritional interventions to focus on enhancing self-efficacy among adolescents and young adults in earlier stages of change to improve dietary habits.