Determinants of Intention to Adopt a Low-Fat Diet in Men 30 to 60 Years Old: Implications for Heart Health Promotion

Abstract

Purpose.The purpose of the study was to identify the determinants of intention to have a law-fat diet in 30- to 60-year-old men.Design.The survey design was cross-sectional and consisted of a self-administered questionnaire. The dependent variable was the intention to have a low-fat diet within the next 4 months, and the independent variables were those suggested by the theory of planned behavior.Setting.The study population was drawn from three districts representing a modal sample of Laval, the second most populous city (N = 314,398) in the province of Quebec.Subjects.The sample comprised 3200 people. Of the 3200 questionnaires sent out, 2583 were received and 2269 were eligible (i.e., were answered by 30- to 60-year-old men), giving a response rate of 70.9%. Of the 2269 questionnaires, 430 were incomplete, resulted in 1839 being usable for analysis.Measures.Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable, the intention to have a low-fat diet. The independent variables were (1) direct and indirect determinants of intention as suggested in the theory of planned behavior and (2) sociodemographic and concomitant variables and their interactions. Discriminant analysis was used on the significant variables obtained in the regression to establish the cognitive profile of respondents' intention, strong or weak.Results.In the final model, five variables explained 51 % of the total variance. Respondents who had a stronger intention perceived that their important referents would approve them having a low-fat diet. They scored higher in seeing the advantages of adopting the target behavior and had a more positive attitude toward the behavior. They also perceived themselves as having control over the target behavior, and scored higher in terms of recognizing the perceived power of this control factor.Conclusions.The results suggest that the theory of planned behavior can be an effective tool in the planning of heart health promotion. They indicate that low-fat diet programs for men should target the work site and peer-group organizations, and place emphasis on adapting usual recipes. Though accenting the health and nutritional benefits of a low-fat diet, messages should appeal to emotion as well as reason.