Health Action Process Approach Correlates With Emerging Adult Dietary Behavior

The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) Model theorizes that there are two sequential stages of behavior change with unique motivational and volitional social-cognitive constructs that predict behavior. In emerging adults, frequency of fast-food intake (FFF) and healthy eating habits are thought to have an inverse relationship. Moreover, the average college student gains 1.6-3.0 kg over the traditional 4-year period. Establishing new ways to modify nutritional behavior of young adults is crucial to the management of chronic, weight-related diseases that frequently begin developing at this stage of life. PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the relationship between FFF and HAPA constructs in emerging adults. METHODS: Participants completed an online survey estimating weekly minutes of AE and RE, as well as Action Self-efficacy (SE), Outcome Expectancies, Intention, Maintenance SE, Action Planning, Coping Planning, Action Control, and perceived barriers. Descriptive statistics of all study measures were calculated. Bivariate correlations were analyzed between FFF and HAPA constructs. RESULTS: 146 college students (M age = 21 ± 4 years, 63.7% female, 72% upperclassmen) completed the online survey. The average weekly FFF was 1.37 ± 1.13. There were no significant correlations between FFF and Action SE, Outcome Expectancies, Intention, Action Planning, or Action Control (p > 0.05). However, Maintenance SE. However, there were significant correlations between FFF with Maintenance SE (M = 2.45 ± 0.83, r = -0.24, p = .004) and Coping Planning (M = 1.91 ± 0.81, r = -0.20, p = .018). FFF and BMI were also significantly correlated (M = 28.59 ± 5.67, r = 0.24, p = 0.03). The most frequently cited barrier was time (27.5 %) while the lowest ranked barrier was price (34.9 %). Time management was ranked the greatest barrier to healthy eating, whereas price of food was ranked the least critical barrier. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these findings, significant relationships may exist between select social-cognitive constructs and FFF in emerging adults warranting future investigation into the utility of considering these constructs as modifiable targets for intervention. While fast food consumption may be explained by social-cognitive factors, other elements must be considered when examining young adult eating habits.