Theory of reasoned action and theory of planned behavior-based dietary interventions in adolescents and young adults: a systematic review

Abstract

BackgroundChildhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many nations around the world. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) and the theory of reasoned action (TRA) have been used to successfully plan and evaluate numerous interventions for many different behaviors. The aim of this study was to systematically review and synthesize TPB and TRA-based dietary behavior interventions targeting adolescents and young adults.MethodsThe following databases were systematically searched to find articles for this review: Academic Search Premier; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL); Education Resources Information Center (ERIC); Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); and MEDLINE. Inclusion criteria for articles were: 1) primary or secondary interventions, 2) with any quantitative design, 3) published in the English language, 4) between January 2003 and March 2014, 5) that targeted adolescents or young adults, 6) which included dietary change behavior as the outcome, and 7) utilized TPB or TRA.ResultsOf the eleven intervention studies evaluated, nine resulted in dietary behavior change that was attributed to the treatment. Additionally, all but one study found there to be a change in at least one construct of TRA or TPB, while one study did not measure constructs. All of the studies utilized some type of quantitative design, with two employing quasi-experimental, and eight employing randomized control trial design. Among the studies, four utilized technology including emails, social media posts, information on school websites, web-based activities, audio messages in classrooms, interactive DVDs, and health-related websites. Two studies incorporated goal setting and four employed persuasive communication.ConclusionInterventions directed toward changing dietary behaviors in adolescents should aim to incorporate multi-faceted, theory-based approaches. Future studies should consider utilizing randomized control trial design and operationalize variables. More research is needed to identify the optimal TPB and TRA modalities to modify dietary behaviors.

“It’s not like a fat camp” — A focus group study of adolescents’ experiences on group-based obesity treatment

“…This corresponds to the suggestion of O’Dougherty et al (2010) that a motivational shift may go in two directions: internalization or externalization. This divergence in motivational development between the participants is difficult to predict or explain (Hackman & Knowlden, 2014). Also Teixeira, Carraca, Markland, Silva, and Ryan (2012) highlight that motivation is not a stable entity and even suggest that different goals or motives toward a given activity co-existing in the same person can be of advantageous for long-term maintenance.…”

“…The counselors guiding youth in this study all practice an MI style, focusing on supporting the autonomy and competence of the individual. Participants from all three groups expressed that the group meetings provided a safe environment with people in the same situation where focus was primarily on personal support, encouragement, and problem solving—representing the relational component of the fundamental psychological needs (Hackman & Knowlden, 2014; Ryan & Deci, 2000). …”

The effect of electronic cigarette advertising on intended use among college students

“…Meta-analyses have reported significant effects, on the order of 40% of intention and 30% of behavior typically accounted for (Crano & Prislin, 2006). Use of the TRA in health research has been especially prevalent (Cooke & French, 2008;Hackman & Knowlden, 2014;Plotnikoff, Costigan, Karunamuni, & Lubans, 2013;Tyson, Covey, & Rosenthal, 2014). Augmenting the TRA is a common approach and is often used as a test of the adjunct variable's effect based on the TRA's sufficiency claim, which states that attitudes and norms should explain most if not all of the variance in behavioral intention (Conner & Armitage, 1998).…”

The Effect of Education on Reducing Fast Food Consumption in Obese Iranian Female Adolescents: An Application of the Transtheoretical Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour

“…According to this, if adolescents feel that environmental factors (facilities and barriers) are under their control, they reduce their consumption of fast food (17). Environmental factors and associations with social or support groups, which promote reduction in the consumption of fast food, may also provide positive effects.…”