Psychosocial and demographic predictors of fruit, juice and vegetable consumption among 11–14-year-old Boy Scouts

OBJECTIVE: Psychosocial and demographic correlates of fruit, juice and vegetable (FJV) consumption were investigated to guide how to increase FJV intake. DESIGN: Hierarchical multiple regression analysis of FJV consumption on demographics and psychosocial variables. SETTING: Houston, Texas, USA. SUBJECTS: Boys aged 11-14 years (n = 473). RESULTS: FJV preference and availability were both significant predictors of FJV consumption, controlling for demographics and clustering of Boy Scout troops. Vegetable self-efficacy was associated with vegetable consumption. The interaction of preference by home availability was a significant predictor of FJV. The interaction of self-efficacy by home availability showed a trend towards significantly predicting vegetable consumption. No significant interactions were found between body mass index and the psychosocial variables. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that future interventions emphasising an increase in preference, availability and efficacy may increase consumption of FJV in similar populations.