Psychosocial correlates of fruit and vegetable consumption among African American men

Abstract

Objective: To determine the best predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption among African American men age 35 years and older.

Design: Data (n = 291) from a 2001 nationally representative mail survey commissioned by the American Cancer Society.

Participants: 291 African American men age 35 years and older.

Dependent variables: (1) total fruits and vegetables without fried potatoes, (2) total fruit with juice, and (3) total vegetables without fried potatoes. Independent variables included 3 blocks of predictors: (1) demographics, (2) a set of psychosocial scales, and (3) intent to change variables based on a theoretical algorithm.

Analysis: Linear regression models; analysis of variance for the intent to change group. Alpha = .05.

Results: Regression model for total fruits and vegetables, significant psychosocial predictors: social norms, benefits, tangible rewards, and barriers-other. Total fruit with juice: social norms, benefits, tangible rewards. Total vegetables, no fried potatoes: tangible rewards, barriers-other interests.

Conclusions and implications: For African American men, fruit consumption appears to be motivated by perceived benefits and standards set by important people in their lives; vegetable consumption is a function of extrinsic rewards and preferences for high-calorie, fatty foods. The results suggest that communications to increase fruit and vegetable consumption should be crafted to reflect differences in sources of motivation for eating fruits versus eating vegetables.