Relation between decisional balance and self-efficacy with stages of change for fruits and vegetables consumption among high school students in Bandar Abbas

A diet rich of fruits and vegetables, especially in adolescence due to fast growth during this period and need for a lot of nutrients, is important. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between decisional balance and self-efficacy with stages of change for consumption of fruits and vegetables in high school students in Bandar Abbas. In this cross-sectional study data of 345 students studying in eight high schools of Bandar Abbas was analyzed. In order to collect data separate questionnaires to measure each of the variables included stages of change for consumption of fruit and vegetables, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and self-efficacy were designed. Decisional balance was measured as perceived benefits minus perceived barriers. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19 software and One-Way ANOVA. The results showed that with the progress of students from precontemplation stage to maintenance stage, decisional balance and self-efficacy for consumption of fruits has significantly increased (P<0.001). The lowest level of decisional balance and self-efficacy for consumption of fruits was in students who were in precontemplation stage and the highest was in students who were in maintenance stage. Regarding consumption of vegetables the same trend was observed. It is recommended that in designing interventions in order to modify and change behaviors related to consumption of fruits and vegetables, decisional balance and self-efficacy be considered and in educational programs based on trans-theoretical model increasing the perceived benefits and self-efficacy and decreasing the perceived barriers be emphasized.