ARS | Publication request: Processes of change for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African American adolescents

Submitted to: Eating Behaviors
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: October 11, 2011
Publication Date: October 25, 2011
Citation: Di Noia, J., Thompson, D.J. 2011. Processes of change for increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African American adolescents. Eating Behaviors. 13:58-61.

Interpretive Summary: With few adolescents consuming recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables, there is a recognized need to increase consumption, in particular among demographic groups that are less likely to meet national dietary guidelines such as African Americans and low socioeconomic status groups. This study identified procedures associated with eating more fruit and vegetables in a sample of economically disadvantaged African American adolescents. Identifying these procedures is important because it will help guide future interventions that attempt to increase fruit and vegetable intake with similar adolescents. The results showed that 12% of participants said they consumed more than the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. The impact of the study is that it confirmed the belief that few economically disadvantaged African American adolescents consumed more than the recommended daily serving of vegetables which shows the need to have an intervention to help improve the health outcome of the population.

Technical Abstract: This study sought to identify Transtheoretical model processes of change associated with consumption of >=5 daily servings of fruit and vegetables in a sample of economically disadvantaged African American adolescents (N=549; mean (SD) age=12.44 (.99) years; 61% female; 15% African American Hispanic). Participants completed measures of stages and processes of change, and were ranked according to intake level based on their reported state. Spearman correlations and independent samples t tests were used in cross-sectional analyses of the relationship between processes of change and fruit and vegetable consumption. Consciousness raising, environmental reevaluation, helping relationships and stimulus control processes were significantly associated with fruits and vegetables consumptoon (P=.12; p< .01), and were practiced more often by youths who consumed >=5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables relative to those who did not (p< .05). Findings highlight the potential of these processes for increasing fruits and vegetable consumption in this population.