Differential effects of planning and self-efficacy on fruit and vegetable consumption

• Published in: Appetite 2010-06, Vol.54 (3), p.611-614
• Main Authors: Richert, Jana, Reuter, Tabea, Wiedemann, Amelie U., Lippke, Sonia, Ziegelmann, Jochen, Schwarzer, Ralf
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; adults; behavior change; Biological and medical sciences; Diet - psychology; Dietary behavior; Eating - psychology; eating habits; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; food choices; Fruit; fruits (food); Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Health Behavior; Humans; Intention; Intentions; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Moderated mediation; nutritional adequacy; optimal nutrition; Planning; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Self Efficacy; strategic planning; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vegetables; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0195-6663; 1095-8304
• DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2010.03.006

To change dietary behaviors, people must be motivated to do so. But intentions often do not translate into behavior. Strategic planning (as a mediator) is expected to move people from intention to action. However, individuals who lack perceived self-efficacy might fail to apply their plans when encountering challenging situations. Thus, self-efficacy might operate as a moderator variable when it comes to studying the mediator effects of planning on behaviors. This study examines the interactive role of planning and self-efficacy in the context of dietary changes. A longitudinal sample of 411 employees was surveyed twice in terms of their fruit and vegetable consumption over a 4-week interval. Intentions, planning, and fruit and vegetable consumption were specified as a mediator chain with self-efficacy as a moderator at two stages of the putative change process. Baseline behavior served as a covariate in the model. Intentions were translated into dietary behavior by planning. Self-efficacy moderated this mediation at the second stage, reflected by a planning×self-efficacy interaction on fruit and vegetable consumption. The strength of the mediated effect increased along with levels of self-efficacy. Individuals with very low self-efficacy did not benefit from planning. If a person lacks self-efficacy, planning does not seem to translate intentions into fruit and vegetable consumption.