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. 2013:2013:147589.
doi: 10.1155/2013/147589. Epub 2013 Jul 11.

Determinants of fast food consumption among Iranian high school students based on planned behavior theory

Gholamreza Sharifirad  1 , Parastoo Yarmohammadi, Leila Azadbakht, Mohammad Ali Morowatisharifabad, Akbar Hassanzadeh
Affiliations

Determinants of fast food consumption among Iranian high school students based on planned behavior theory

Gholamreza Sharifirad et al. J Obes. 2013.

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to identify some factors (beliefs and norms) which are related to fast food consumption among high school students in Isfahan, Iran. We used the framework of the theory planned behavior (TPB) to predict this behavior.

Subjects & methods: Cross-sectional data were available from high school students (n = 521) who were recruited by cluster randomized sampling. All of the students completed a questionnaire assessing variables of standard TPB model including attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control (PBC), and the additional variables past behavior, actual behavior control (ABC).

Results: The TPB variables explained 25.7% of the variance in intentions with positive attitude as the strongest (β = 0.31, P < 0.001) and subjective norms as the weakest (β = 0.29, P < 0.001) determinant. Concurrently, intentions accounted for 6% of the variance for fast food consumption. Past behavior and ABC accounted for an additional amount of 20.4% of the variance in fast food consumption.

Conclusion: Overall, the present study suggests that the TPB model is useful in predicting related beliefs and norms to the fast food consumption among adolescents. Subjective norms in TPB model and past behavior in TPB model with additional variables (past behavior and actual behavior control) were the most powerful predictors of fast food consumption. Therefore, TPB model may be a useful framework for planning intervention programs to reduce fast food consumption by students.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
the results from the path analysis which was conducted to examine the direct and indirect effects of the TPB components on the behavior and intention.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Path analysis based on the theory of planned behavior with additional variables (past behavior and ABC) to predict fast food consumption.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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