Psychosocial aspects related to fruit and vegetable consumption in adolescents

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the association between psychosocial aspects and fruit and vegetable consumption in adolescents. Cros-s-sectional study developed with 327 adolescents from a public school in Brazil. A questionnaire developed for adolescents was applied to assess the influence of self-efficacy, family, peers, and body image on the consumption of fruits and vegetables. Specific questions assessed the intake frequency of fruits and vegetables, and the mean consumption was estimated using two 24-hour recalls. Scores related to psychosocial aspects were described as mean and median and the weight status was classified based on the body mass in-dex. The average daily consumption of fruits and vegetables was 36.2 g and 45.4 g, respectively. Sel-f-efficacy and the influence of peers were associated with an increase in the amount and frequency of fruits and vegetables consumption. Adolescents with higher scores of self-efficacy had greater average consumption of fruits and vegetables when compared to those with lower scores. The same was observed for the influence of peers. Self-effi-cacy and the influence of peers were the factors that most influenced the consumption of fruits and vegetables in adolescents.