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Food Availability, Motivational-Related Factors, and Food Consumption: A Path Model Study with Children

Author

Listed:
  • Beatriz Pereira

    (Department of Applied Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • Pedro Rosário

    (Department of Applied Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • José Carlos Núñez

    (Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Daniela Rosendo

    (Department of Applied Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

  • Cristina Roces

    (Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, 33003 Oviedo, Spain)

  • Paula Magalhães

    (Department of Applied Psychology, University of Minho, 4710-052 Braga, Portugal)

Abstract

The promotion of children’s healthy eating is a key public health priority. However, children’s food consumption is a complex phenomenon with several contributing factors, and there is a call to continue developing comprehensive models with several variables acting simultaneously. The present study aimed to examine the role different motivational-related variables (e.g., self-regulation, self-efficacy) may play in children’s consumption of healthy and unhealthy foods. To address this goal, data were collected in a sample of 242 fifth and sixth graders with access to both healthy and unhealthy foods at home. A path model was conducted to analyze networks of relationships between motivational-related variables and children’s healthy and unhealthy eating. The gender variable was included as a covariate to control its effect. The data showed that self-regulation for healthy eating mediates the relationship between the predictor variables (i.e., knowledge, attitude, and self-efficacy) and the type of food consumption (healthy and unhealthy). Current data contribute to understanding the complexity behind food consumption by providing a comprehensive model with motivational-related factors associated with both healthy and unhealthy eating. The present findings are likely to help inform the development of early preventive interventions focused on the promotion of healthy eating.

Suggested Citation

  • Beatriz Pereira & Pedro Rosário & José Carlos Núñez & Daniela Rosendo & Cristina Roces & Paula Magalhães, 2021. "Food Availability, Motivational-Related Factors, and Food Consumption: A Path Model Study with Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:12897-:d:696970
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Beatriz Pereira & Pedro Rosário & Cátia Silva & Gabriela Figueiredo & José Carlos Núñez & Paula Magalhães, 2019. "The Mediator and/or Moderator Role of Complexity of Knowledge about Healthy Eating and Self-Regulated Behavior on the Relation between Family’s Income and Children’s Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-15, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cátia Silva & Beatriz Pereira & Gabriela Figueiredo & Pedro Rosário & José Carlos Núñez & Paula Magalhães, 2023. "Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Behaviors Scale for Children: A Validation Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-11, February.
    2. Paula Magalhães & Catarina Vilas & Beatriz Pereira & Cátia Silva & Hélder Oliveira & Camila Aguiar & Pedro Rosário, 2022. "Children’s Perceived Barriers to a Healthy Diet: The Influence of Child and Community-Related Factors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-13, February.

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    1. Cátia Silva & Beatriz Pereira & Gabriela Figueiredo & Pedro Rosário & José Carlos Núñez & Paula Magalhães, 2023. "Self-Efficacy to Regulate Eating Behaviors Scale for Children: A Validation Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-11, February.

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