Abstract
Despite interventions designed to change behavior, many adolescents continue to consume
unhealthy foods. Dietary patterns are important for disease prevention, making it
necessary to understand the reasons for these poor choices. This cross-sectional study
explored the relationship between perception of dietary practices and dietary behaviors
among adolescents. Participants (n=15,283; mean age=15 years; 50.7% female) completed
the 2004-2005 Texas School Physical Activity and Nutrition survey. Perception of dietary
practices included fat content of foods usually eaten and healthiness of usual eating
habits. Dietary behavior was measured by self-report of foods eaten the day before
survey administration. Composite scores of unhealthy and healthy eating were created.
Regression analyses examined whether perception of dietary practices was consistent
with actual dietary behavior, controlling for sex, grade, and race/ethnicity, and
accounting for the complex sampling design. Higher perceived fat content was associated
with increased consumption of unhealthy foods, while higher perceived healthiness
of eating was associated with increased consumption of healthy foods. For perceived
fat content, the difference in the Healthy Eating Index between extreme categories
was 26% (P<0.001), while the difference in the Unhealthy Eating Index between extreme categories
was 81% (P<0.001). For perceived healthiness, the difference in the Healthy Eating Index between
extreme categories was 23% (P<0.001), while the difference for the Unhealthy Eating Index was 44% (P<0.001). Self-perceptions of dietary practices were significantly associated with
dietary behaviors, indicating awareness about the relative nutrient content of foods
consumed. Interventions that move beyond dietary knowledge and create changes in the
social and physical environment are needed.
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Biography
C. E. Velazquez is a doctoral candidate, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas, Austin.
Biography
K. E. Pasch is an assistant professor, Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas, Austin.
Biography
N. Ranjit is an assistant professor, Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin Regional Campus, Austin.
Biography
D. M. Hoelscher is professor and director, Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin Regional Campus, Austin.
Biography
G. Mirchandani is an adjunct assistant professor, Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin Regional Campus, Austin, and an associate, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD.
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 20,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 American Dietetic Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
