Association between general self-efficacy and eating habits among adolescents

Cardoso, Susana; Nunes, Carla; Santos, Osvaldo; Loureiro, Isabel

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/5145

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Abstract(s)

Introduction: Food choices are the result of several factors. Individual predispositions and resiliency are responsible for regulating against alternative food challenges. Bandura (1982) describes self-efficacy as a sense of self-esteem, feelings of adequacy, efficiency and competence to tackle the problems. Self-efficacy also underlies the choices and effort spent in activities or accomplishments. Objectives: To investigate associations between self-efficacy and eating habits. Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey, with data collected through self-administered questionnaires. Two schools participated in the survey (convenience sample). For each school, students were invited to participate, reaching a sample size of 358 students, aged 14 to 18. Students were asked to complete the Eating Habits Scale (EHA) as well as the General Self-efficacy Questionnaire (GSQ), (EHA/GSQ: 0-200/ 15-105), both validated for Portugal. Results: Significant positive correlation (r=.26; p<.001) was found between eating behaviors and self-efficacy (EHA: 86-172; mean =137.4; GSQ: 29-105; mean= 78). The correlation was stronger for the self-efficacy’s component of resistance to adversity (.32), followed by the initiative and persistence (.18) and by social effectiveness (.16). A higher coefficient of correlation was found among boys (.34) than among girls (.25), among overall scores of GSQ and scores of EHA. Conclusions: Higher self-efficacy may be associated with appropriate eating behaviors in adolescents. Control and resistance perception may play an important role, motivating youngsters to adopt healthy lifestyles. Thus, promoting self-efficacy can boost up healthy eating habits. Moreover, it may be appropriate to adopt health promotion strategies differentiated by gender.

Keywords

Self-efficacy Food choices Adolescents

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/5145

Citation

Cardoso, S., Nunes, C., Santos, O., & Loureiro, I. (2013). Association between general self-efficacy and eating habits among adolescents [abstract]. Atención Primaria, 45(especial). 1st World Congress of Children and Youth Health Behaviors/ 4th National Congress on Health Education, Viseu, Portugal, May 23-25