Do beliefs, knowledge, and perceived norms about diet and cancer predict dietary change?

Objectives: We hypothesized that belief in an association between diet and cancer, knowledge of dietary recommendations and food composition, and perceived norms would predict healthful dietary changes. Methods: Data are from a population-based sample of Washington State residents (n = 607). Psychos...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of public health (1971) 1996-10, Vol.86 (10), p.1394-1400
Main Authors: Patterson, R.E. (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA.), Kristal, A.R, White, E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Attitude to Health
Attitudes
Behavior
Beliefs
Biological and medical sciences
Body Weight
Cancer
Changes
Cohort Studies
Comparison
Diet
Diet - psychology
DIETA
Dietary fiber
Educational Status
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Food
Fruits
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Households
Humans
Interviews
Knowledge
Male
Males
Medical sciences
Medical screening
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
NEOPLASMAS
NEOPLASME
Neoplasms - prevention & control
NUTRICION HUMANA
NUTRITION HUMAINE
Nutrition research
Predictive Value of Tests
Predictors
Prevention and actions
Psychological aspects
Public health
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
REGIME ALIMENTAIRE
Relationship
Response rates
Surveys and Questionnaires
Telephone numbers
Washington
Washington State
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Summary:Objectives: We hypothesized that belief in an association between diet and cancer, knowledge of dietary recommendations and food composition, and perceived norms would predict healthful dietary changes. Methods: Data are from a population-based sample of Washington State residents (n = 607). Psychosocial constructs measured at baseline (1989/90) were used to predict changes in dietary practices, fat intake, fiber intake, and weight over 3 years. Results: Adults who strongly believed in a diet-cancer connection decreased the percentage of energy consumed from fat by 1.20 percentage points and increased fiber intake by 0.69 g, compared with decreases of 0.21 percentage points and 0.57 g among those with no belief (P 0.05). Adults with knowledge of the National Cancer Institute fat and fiber goals decreased their percentage of energy from fat by 1.70 points compared with an increase of 0.27 points among those with little knowledge (P 0.05). Food composition knowledge and perceived pressure to eat a healthful diet were not significant predictors of changes in fat intake, fiber intake, or weight. Conclusions: Interventions that increase the public's beliefs in diet and health associations and communicate diet recommendations can encourage healthful dietary change
ISSN:0090-0036
1541-0048
DOI:10.2105/AJPH.86.10.1394