Evaluation of effectiveness of education based on the theory of planned behavior on fruit and vegetable consumption of rural women of Chabahar

Accumulating evidence suggests that fruits and vegetables intake (FVI) plays a protective role against major diseases. Regarding the crucial role of women in feeding the family, we investigated effectiveness of education on fruits and vegetables consuming behavior of rural women in Chabahar applying theory of planned behavior.
Rural Native Chabahar women (n =152), ages 12-75 years old, were selected by multistage sampling. Baseline and post-intervention measures of TPB variables, knowledge and behavior were collected via questionnaire. Bivariate correlations, paired and independent t-tests and stepwise regression analyses of TBP model were performed with SPSS software.
There were significant changes in fruits and vegetables consuming intention, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, attitude and behavior.
Changes in attitude together with intention predicted approximately 12% of the fruits and vegetables consuming behavior change. Whereas changes in subjective norms, knowledge and perceived behavioral control predicted approximately 25% of change in intention to consume fruits and vegetables. Changes in intention could only predict4% of changes in behavior.
Findings from this study suggest that educational intervention based on theory of planned behavior can be effective in fruits and vegetables consuming behavior.Results indicate that programs promoting healthy eating to women might focus on subjective norms and intention via family based education.