Abstract
The daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables is 1.5-2 cups and 2-3 cups, respectively, but only one in 10 adults in the United States are meeting those recommendations (CDC, 2019). Research on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) indicates healthy eating behaviors can be predicted by intentions and other components of the theory (McDermott et al., 2015). Likewise, the self-as-doer, an identity that aims to describe individuals in terms of doing a behavior, also predicts healthy eating. However, less research has explored how the orientation of a doer identity predicts fruit and vegetable consumption. Those with an approach doer orientation try to add healthy foods to their diet, whereas those with an avoidant doer orientation aim to remove unhealthy foods. Research exploring the relationships among doer identity orientation, the TPB and fruit and vegetable consumption is needed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore whether doer identities predict fruit and vegetable consumption beyond the TPB components. Participants (N=312, Mage=32.15, SD=12.55) completed a survey assessing fruit and vegetable consumption, TPB components, and self-as-doer identity. Two hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to test if doer identity predicted fruit and vegetable consumption beyond TPB variables. The TPB components and the self-as-doer identities contributed a significant amount of the variance (6.3%) in vegetable consumption, R2=.063, ΔF(2, 371)=10.57, p < .001. Adding the self-as-doer identities contributed 5.3% of the variance above and beyond the TPB, R2=.053, ΔF(2, 371)=10.57, p < .001. Only the approach self-as-doer identity was a significant predictor of vegetable consumption, b=.45, t(371)=4.00, p < .001. For fruit consumption, the TPB and self-as-doer identities significantly contributed 12.4% of the variance in the model, R2=.124, ΔF(2, 371)=18.77, p < .001 and self-as-doer identities contributed an additional 8.9% of the variance in fruit consumption, R2=.089, ΔF(2, 371)=18.77, p < .001. Approach self-as-doer identity was a significant predictor of fruit consumption, b=1.09, t(371)=5.67, p < .001, as was perceived behavioral control, b=-.30, t(371)=-1.99, p=.05. Approach, and not avoidant, doer identity predicted both fruit and vegetable consumption beyond the TPB variables. It was the only significant predictor of vegetable consumption. Additionally, approach doer identity and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of fruit consumption. Findings suggest that it may be easier for individuals to add new behaviors (i.e., approach orientation) to their diet instead of removing certain foods or behaviors (avoidant orientations). Furthermore, the behaviors of eating fruits/vegetables better align with approach doer identities than avoidant doer identities. These findings also support previous research on the predictability of the self-as-doer identity on general healthy eating behaviors and build on past research supporting the role of adding identity to the TPB. Future research could explore causal relationships between approach doer identities and fruit and vegetable consumption. Overall, research suggests that seeing oneself as the doer of a behavior with an approach orientation is associated with eating more fruits and vegetables.
College
College of Liberal Arts
Department
Psychology
Campus
Winona
First Advisor/Mentor
Amanda Brouwer
Location
Ballroom
Start Date
4-18-2024 1:00 PM
End Date
4-18-2024 2:00 PM
Presentation Type
Poster Session
Format of Presentation or Performance
In-Person
Session
2a=1pm-2pm
Poster Number
21
Included in
I am a "Fruit Eater": Predicting Fruit and Vegetable Consumption with Approach Self-as-Doer Identities
Ballroom
The daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables is 1.5-2 cups and 2-3 cups, respectively, but only one in 10 adults in the United States are meeting those recommendations (CDC, 2019). Research on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) indicates healthy eating behaviors can be predicted by intentions and other components of the theory (McDermott et al., 2015). Likewise, the self-as-doer, an identity that aims to describe individuals in terms of doing a behavior, also predicts healthy eating. However, less research has explored how the orientation of a doer identity predicts fruit and vegetable consumption. Those with an approach doer orientation try to add healthy foods to their diet, whereas those with an avoidant doer orientation aim to remove unhealthy foods. Research exploring the relationships among doer identity orientation, the TPB and fruit and vegetable consumption is needed. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore whether doer identities predict fruit and vegetable consumption beyond the TPB components. Participants (N=312, Mage=32.15, SD=12.55) completed a survey assessing fruit and vegetable consumption, TPB components, and self-as-doer identity. Two hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to test if doer identity predicted fruit and vegetable consumption beyond TPB variables. The TPB components and the self-as-doer identities contributed a significant amount of the variance (6.3%) in vegetable consumption, R2=.063, ΔF(2, 371)=10.57, p < .001. Adding the self-as-doer identities contributed 5.3% of the variance above and beyond the TPB, R2=.053, ΔF(2, 371)=10.57, p < .001. Only the approach self-as-doer identity was a significant predictor of vegetable consumption, b=.45, t(371)=4.00, p < .001. For fruit consumption, the TPB and self-as-doer identities significantly contributed 12.4% of the variance in the model, R2=.124, ΔF(2, 371)=18.77, p < .001 and self-as-doer identities contributed an additional 8.9% of the variance in fruit consumption, R2=.089, ΔF(2, 371)=18.77, p < .001. Approach self-as-doer identity was a significant predictor of fruit consumption, b=1.09, t(371)=5.67, p < .001, as was perceived behavioral control, b=-.30, t(371)=-1.99, p=.05. Approach, and not avoidant, doer identity predicted both fruit and vegetable consumption beyond the TPB variables. It was the only significant predictor of vegetable consumption. Additionally, approach doer identity and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of fruit consumption. Findings suggest that it may be easier for individuals to add new behaviors (i.e., approach orientation) to their diet instead of removing certain foods or behaviors (avoidant orientations). Furthermore, the behaviors of eating fruits/vegetables better align with approach doer identities than avoidant doer identities. These findings also support previous research on the predictability of the self-as-doer identity on general healthy eating behaviors and build on past research supporting the role of adding identity to the TPB. Future research could explore causal relationships between approach doer identities and fruit and vegetable consumption. Overall, research suggests that seeing oneself as the doer of a behavior with an approach orientation is associated with eating more fruits and vegetables.
Comments
Add 5th researcher - Ashley Lenarz