AUTHOR=Lima Stefany Corrêa , Melo Giselle Rhaisa do Amaral e , Schincaglia Raquel Machado , Souza Lopes Aline Cristine , Toral Natacha 

TITLE=Stages of change and self-efficacy are related to consumption of food markers among Brazilian adolescents and young adults

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1006898

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.1006898

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Objective: This study aimed at analyzing the association between stages of change, consumption of food markers, and self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy eating practices, adjusted by nutritional knowledge, among Brazilian adolescents and young adults. 
Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 347 individuals from schools in the Federal District, Brazil. They completed a self-administered questionnaire covering: consumption of food markers, stage of change, self-efficacy in the adoption of healthy eating practices, and nutritional knowledge. Adjusted logistic regression was conducted.
Results: Participants in precontemplation (OR=0.22), contemplation (OR=0.19), decision (OR=0.13) and action (OR=0.40) stages have less chance to have healthy eating than those in maintenance, including fruits and vegetables [precontemplation (OR=0.23), contemplation (OR=0.19), and decision (OR=0.09). Adolescents and young adults in precontemplation (OR=0.29) and contemplation (OR=0.37) had lower chances of having low consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages compared to those in maintenance (p<0.05Adolescents and young adults in precontemplation (OR=0.38) and contemplation (OR=0.36) were less likely to have high self-efficacy scores than those in maintenance (p<0.05). ). Higher score of self-efficacy was associated with a lower chance of having a high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR=1.02; p=0.032).
Conclusion: Regardless of nutritional knowledge, individuals in the earlier stages of change are less likely to have an adequate consumption of healthy foods markers, including fruits and vegetables, and low sugar-sweetened beverages consumption. They are also less likely to have high self-efficacy scores than those in maintenance. Nutritional interventions to focus on enhancing self-efficacy among adolescents and young adults in earlier stages of change to improve dietary habits.