Predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption among female high school students based on PRECEDE model

Adolescence is a period of life that life style is formed and stabilized while nutritional status of adolescents toward fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC) isn’t in desirable level. This study aimed to determine Predictors of FVC among female high school students based on PRECEDE model. This was a cross-sectional study that was done among 400 female high school students in Gochan that were selected by using two stage sampling method. Data was collected by using a self report, reliable and valid questionnaire. Descriptive (mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage) and analytical statistics (linear regression analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient and one way ANOVA) were used for exploring the data. The mean age of the students was 16.11±1.076. Reinforcing factors(β=0.282 P<0.0001), enabling factors(β=0.207 P<0.0001) and knowledge(β=0.117 P<0.0001) were predictor factors for FVC. The mean score of knowledge was 70.13±16.08, mean score of attitude 77.73±11.14, mean score of enabling factors 50.93±18.02, mean score of reinforcing factors 72.75±15.42 and mean score of behavior was 61.66±15.66. There was a significant positive correlation between PRECEDE model constructs and behavior. The findings suggest that Reinforcing factors, enabling factors, and knowledge were the most important predictor factor, respectively. Knowledge, attitude and reinforcing factors status are in a desirable level. Enabling factors and behavior status is in moderate level. According to positive correlation between PRECEDE model constructs and behavior, we recommended appropriate intervention, especially educational intervention with particular emphasis on PRECEDE model constructs, especially reinforcing factors as the most important behavior predictor in related FVC.