Investigating the Predictive Power of the Theory of Planned Behavior on the Behavioral Intention of Healthy Eating in Adolescents

Abstract

"Background: Adolescence is a complex and sensitive period, and learning nutritional concepts during this period is very important. The purpose of the present study is to determine the predictive power of the theory of planned behavior on the behavioral intention of healthy eating in adolescents. Methods: 400 first-grade female students of Bandar Anzali participated in this descriptive-correlational study. Among the first secondary schools of this city, two schools were randomly selected and sampled by census method. The data collection tool was the healthy eating behavior questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior, which included two sections of demographic information and the constructs of the theory of planned behavior, which were checked and confirmed with the content validity ratio, content validity index, and alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. Results: Linear regression analysis showed that a total of 34% of the variance of healthy eating behavior intention is predicted by the constructs of perceived behavioral control and attitude. Conclusion: Considering the high predictive power of the theory of planned behavior in the field of healthy eating behavior, educational interventions based on it and centered on predictive structures are suggested."