The Theory of Planned Behavior and Encouraging Healthy Diets in Preadolescent Daughters

• In Event: Parent-Child Communication about Health

Abstract

Childhood overweight is increasingly pervasive and can lead to breast cancer. Preadolescent girls are influenced by their mothers so in an effort to reduce female childhood overweight, mothers’ intent to encourage healthy eating was studied. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior, a two-step study including focus groups and a survey with mothers with preadolescent daughters was conducted. Mothers’ attitude, their most likely norm, and their perceived behavioral control all predicted intention to encourage healthy eating.

Author

• Lauren Hamel, Michigan State University