F Marijn Stok1, Emely de Vet2, John B F de Wit3, Aleksandra Luszczynska4, Magdalena Safron5, Denise T D de Ridder1. 1. 1Department of Clinical and Health Psychology,Utrecht University,Post Box 80140,3508 TC Utrecht,The Netherlands. 2. 2Communication,Philosophy and Technology: Centre for Integrative Development,Wageningen University and Research Centre,Wageningen,The Netherlands. 3. 3National Centre in HIV Social Research,University of New South Wales,Sydney,Australia. 4. 4Trauma,Health, & Hazards Center,University of Colorado,Colorado Springs,CO,USA. 5. 6Psychology Department in Warsaw,University of Social Sciences and Humanities,Warsaw,Poland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations of self-perceived eating-related peer norms (called 'subjective peer norms') with adolescents' healthy eating intentions and intake of healthy and unhealthy food. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data were collected in a large international survey. SETTING: Two types of subjective peer norms were assessed: perceived peer encouragement of healthy eating and perceived peer discouragement of unhealthy eating. Outcome variables were healthy eating intentions, intake of healthy food (fruits and vegetables) and intake of unhealthy food (snacks and soft drinks). SUBJECTS: Over 2500 European (pre-)adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years participated. RESULTS: Subjective peer norms were associated with all three outcome variables. While both perceived encouragement of healthy eating and perceived discouragement of unhealthy eating were related to intentions, only peer encouragement of healthy eating was related to intakes of both healthy and unhealthy food. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective peer norms play a role in adolescent eating behaviour and as such are an important target for health promotion. Addressing norms that encourage healthy eating may be more promising in changing behaviour than norms that discourage unhealthy eating.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate associations of self-perceived eating-related peer norms (called 'subjective peer norms') with adolescents' healthy eating intentions and intake of healthy and unhealthy food. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data were collected in a large international survey. SETTING: Two types of subjective peer norms were assessed: perceived peer encouragement of healthy eating and perceived peer discouragement of unhealthy eating. Outcome variables were healthy eating intentions, intake of healthy food (fruits and vegetables) and intake of unhealthy food (snacks and soft drinks). SUBJECTS: Over 2500 European (pre-)adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years participated. RESULTS: Subjective peer norms were associated with all three outcome variables. While both perceived encouragement of healthy eating and perceived discouragement of unhealthy eating were related to intentions, only peer encouragement of healthy eating was related to intakes of both healthy and unhealthy food. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective peer norms play a role in adolescent eating behaviour and as such are an important target for health promotion. Addressing norms that encourage healthy eating may be more promising in changing behaviour than norms that discourage unhealthy eating.
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