Effect of education based on the theory of planned behavior on fruit and vegetable consumption among female students in the city Mashhad
Journal of Behdasht dar Arseh (i.e., Health in the Field),
Vol. 13 No. 1 (1404),
1 October 2025
,
Page 30-38
https://doi.org/10.22037/jhf.v13i1.47848
Abstract
Background and Aims: Insufficient fruit and vegetable consumption is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, various types of cancer, and chronic diseases in adulthood. This study aimed to determine the effect of education based on the Theory of Planned Behavior on fruit and vegetable consumption among fifth-grade female students.
Materials and Methods: This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 74 fifth-grade female students in schools in Mashhad (2021). Participants were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Following a needs assessment based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, an educational intervention was designed and implemented for the intervention group. Assessments were conducted immediately and three months after the intervention. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, applying the Mann–Whitney, Chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, and descriptive statistics at a significance level of 0.05. Ethical considerations were observed at all stages of the study.
Results: Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between the two groups in the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior, including attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention. However, after the intervention, the mean scores of these constructs in the intervention group increased significantly immediately and three months post-intervention (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Education based on the Theory of Planned Behavior can improve students’ attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention regarding fruit and vegetable consumption, playing an effective role in promoting health and preventing chronic diseases.
- Theory of planned behavior
- Health education
- Fruit and vegetable
How to Cite
References
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