Abstract Body: Introduction: This study investigated the relationships of adolescents’ autonomous motivation, self-efficacy, and social support with the healthy eating index (HEI) total (primary outcome), whole fruit, total fruit, vegetable, sodium, added sugar, and caloric intake (secondary outcomes).
Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that higher levels of autonomous motivation, self-efficacy, and social support would be positively associated with higher HEI scores and increased intake of fruits and vegetables, and negatively associated with intake of sodium, added sugar, and total calories.
Methods: A secondary analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial was conducted. A total of 935 5^th- 8^thgraders, aged 10 to 14 years, were included. Generalized linear models and structural equation models examined relationships of motivation, social support, and self-efficacy for healthy eating behaviors.
Results: Results show that family social support showed positive associations with HEI total score, HEI fruit, HEI whole fruit, and HEI added sugars. Additionally, age was positively associated with HEI added sugars. In generalized linear models, family social support was significantly associated with HEI fruit and caloric intake. Higher social support for healthy eating significantly increased motivation and self-efficacy, which in turn was associated with higher HEI total scores and lower added sugar and sodium intake.
Conclusion: In conclusion, these findings add to the growing body of research on adolescent nutrition by emphasizing the complex interplay of psychosocial factors in shaping specific dietary behaviors.