Survey of daily fruit consumption status among girl students who are living in dormitories and its predictors based on the theory of planned behavior constructs

Consumption of some food groups such as fruits among students who are living in dormitories is inadequate. Given to the importance of recognizing effective factors of consuming fruit in this group, the present study aimed to determine daily fruit consumption status among girl students who are living in the dormitories of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and it determinants based on the theory of planned behavior constructs in 2011. In this descriptive-analytical study, a convenience sample included 200 girl students were selected by random sampling method and filled out questionnaires (including demographic variables, theory of planned behavior constructs and daily fruit consumption). Statistical analysis of data was performed with SPSS software, correlation, One-Way ANOVA and Regression analysis tests. The average age of participants was 22.6 years old. The level of education showed that 80% of participants were undergraduate. 55.5% of subjects ate one fruit or less, 30% two fruits and 10% three fruits per day. Only 4.5% of subjects ate 4 fruits and more per day. Behavioral intention alone was predicted 30% of the variation in daily fruit consumption (R2 =0.30, F =10, p<0.0001). By adding BMI and income variables to pervious regression model, prediction was increased to 42% (R2 =0.42, F =6.9, p<0.0001). Also, 54% of the variability in behavioral intention was predicted by the following variables: attitude and subjective norm constructs (R2 =0.54, F =40, p<0.0001). Fruit consumption in the students is inadequate. In designing nutrition education interventions aiming at increasing fruit consumption in this group, it is better to put more emphasis on strategies to promote behavioral intention, its predictive factors (e.g. attitude and subjective norms (and socioeconomic status and indicators such as body mass index of students.