TY - JOUR
T1 - The predictors of healthy eating behavior among pregnant women
T2 - An application of the theory of planned behavior
AU - Chitsaz, Aynaz
AU - Javadi, Maryam
AU - Lin, Chung Ying
AU - Pakpour, Amir H.
N1 - Copyright:
Copyright 2017 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2017/10/1
Y1 - 2017/10/1
N2 - Background It has been documented that maternal nutrition is associated with positive birth outcomes. This study was aimed at determining the predictors of healthy eating behavior among pregnant women in Qazvin, Iran in the context of the theory of planned behavior (TBP). Materials and Methods In this longitudinal study, 182 pregnant women who were referred to teaching hospitals in Qazvin in 2016 were recruited for participation. Data were obtained using TPB-specific questionnaires at baseline. The same pregnant women were asked to complete a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) 3 months later. A series of hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine factors associated with healthy eating behavior among pregnant women. Results The pregnant women reported low amounts of whole grain consumption and low-fat dairy product consumption. All TPB variables significantly predicted healthy eating behaviors at three-month follow-up. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) and behavioral intention were found to be the strongest predictors of healthy eating behaviors among pregnant women. The pregnant women's subjective norms had the weakest relationship with healthy eating behaviors. The TPB model together with age provided a moderate to high explanation of consumptions in low-fat dairy products (R2=0.57, P < 0.01), fruit (R2=0.30, P < 0.01), vegetable (R2=0.28, P < 0.01) and whole grains (R2=0.44, P < 0.01). Conclusion The TPB explained significant variation in intention and healthy eating behaviors among pregnant women. Future studies should target on the PBC and intention to promote healthy eating behaviors among pregnant women.
AB - Background It has been documented that maternal nutrition is associated with positive birth outcomes. This study was aimed at determining the predictors of healthy eating behavior among pregnant women in Qazvin, Iran in the context of the theory of planned behavior (TBP). Materials and Methods In this longitudinal study, 182 pregnant women who were referred to teaching hospitals in Qazvin in 2016 were recruited for participation. Data were obtained using TPB-specific questionnaires at baseline. The same pregnant women were asked to complete a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) 3 months later. A series of hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine factors associated with healthy eating behavior among pregnant women. Results The pregnant women reported low amounts of whole grain consumption and low-fat dairy product consumption. All TPB variables significantly predicted healthy eating behaviors at three-month follow-up. Perceived behavioral control (PBC) and behavioral intention were found to be the strongest predictors of healthy eating behaviors among pregnant women. The pregnant women's subjective norms had the weakest relationship with healthy eating behaviors. The TPB model together with age provided a moderate to high explanation of consumptions in low-fat dairy products (R2=0.57, P < 0.01), fruit (R2=0.30, P < 0.01), vegetable (R2=0.28, P < 0.01) and whole grains (R2=0.44, P < 0.01). Conclusion The TPB explained significant variation in intention and healthy eating behaviors among pregnant women. Future studies should target on the PBC and intention to promote healthy eating behaviors among pregnant women.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85028366439&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85028366439&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.22038/ijp.2017.25576.2176
DO - 10.22038/ijp.2017.25576.2176
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85028366439
SN - 2345-5055
VL - 5
SP - 5897
EP - 5905
JO - International Journal of Pediatrics
JF - International Journal of Pediatrics
IS - 10
ER -