The relationship between constructs of Social Cognitive Theory and food habits in middle aged women in Isfahan

Abstract

Background: The relationship between nutrition and adult’s health is confirmed and it is essential to identify the factors associated with the formation of eating habits in the community. The goal of this study was to identify the predictive power of structures of social cognitive theories for healthy food habits in middle-aged women. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 280 middle-aged women. Outcome expectations, social support, observational learning, and awareness were assessed as variables associated with social cognitive theory and food habits and also receiving main food groups were assessed using a questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient test and linear regression analysis. Results: Among structures of social cognitive theory, observational learning (p < 0.36) and social support (p < 0.02) had significant role in explaining the variance of level of receiving food groups in middle-aged women. Conclusions: Observational learning and social support were the main factors interpreting feeding behaviours in middle-aged women. Therefore, they should be considered in nutritional health promotion programs. © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.