Diet-related self-efficacy and healthy behaviors in children and adolescents of Guizhou province

ObjectiveTo investigate diet-related self-efficacy and healthy behaviors in children and adolescents and to provide basis for health education and promotion on healthy diet behaviors.MethodsSelf-designed questionnaires for self-efficacy and healthy diet behaviors were used among 1 398 students from nine primary and secondary schools in Guizhou province.ResultsThe diet-related self-efficacy was different for the children and adolescents of different residential areas,with the score of 2.08±0.72 for the students from provincial capital areas and 2.00±0.61 for those from the county areas.The score of diet-related self-efficacy was 2.08±0.63 for the students older than 12 years and 2.01±0.69 for those at the age of 12 years or younger,with statistically significant difference(P<0.05).The scores of healthy diet behaviors were 2.67±0.90 for the students from provincial capital areas and 2.05±0.92 for those from county areas;the score was 2.26±0.94 for the male students and 2.45±0.99 for the female students;the scores were 2.29±0.93 for the students aged 12 years or younger and 2.52±0.87 for the students less than 12 years old.The healthy diet score was 2.33±0.95,2.28±0.92,and 2.53±0.87 for primary school,junior high school,and senior high school students,repectively,with significant differerences(P<0.01 or P<0.001).There was a significant positive correlation(r=0.202,P<0.001)between diet-related self-efficacy and healthy behavior in the children and adolescents.ConclusionThe diet-related self-efficacy and healthy behaviors are different for the children and adolescents from provincial capital areas and from county areas.Specific education and intervention on diet-related self-efficacy and healthy diet behavior should be implemented among the students.