25774038

PMC4827923

Background

While previous studies have described psychosocial and environmental factors that contribute to healthy eating, much remains unknown about the interactions between them.

Methods

We assessed the relationship between the perceived food environment, self-efficacy and fruit and vegetable consumption, using data from a sample of racially diverse, low-income adult clientele of five public health centers in Los Angeles County (n=1,503). We constructed a negative binomial regression model to examine the association between perceived food environment and the number of fruits and vegetables consumed.

Results

For every one point increase on the perceived food environment scale, individuals ate about 5% more fruits and vegetables (95% CI: 1.007, 1.089), controlling for other covariates. Self-efficacy was shown to be a significant mediator (mediated effect = 0.010; 95% confidence interval 0.002, 0.020), accounting for 22.9% of the effect.

Discussion

Efforts to increase access to healthy options may not only improve eating behaviors, but also influence individuals' beliefs that they can eat healthfully.

CDC Public Access

TL1 TR000121/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States
U58 DP002485/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States
3U58DP002485-01S1/DP/NCCDPHP CDC HHS/United States
TL1TR000121/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States