Effect of the Educational Program Based on the Planned Behaviour Theory on Breakfast Consumption of the High School Students

Breakfast as the most important course meal is often neglected by children and adolescents. The present study aimed to determine the effect of the educational program based on the theory of planned behavior on breakfast consumption among the high school students of Fasa.

The present study is a quasi-experimental study consisting of 120 students selected by the simple random sampling method. The data collection tool was a questionnaire including the demographic questions and the constructs of the theories of planned behavior theory that were completed self-reportedly before and three months after the educational intervention by the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received 10 educational sessions based on the constructs of the theory of planned behavior. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software version 22 and using chi-square, independent t-test, paired t-test, and Wilcoxon tests.

Mean scores of attitudes (46.92±6.26), intention (11.24±2.53), perceived behavioral control (22.50±4.25), subjective norms (40.84±7.12) in the experimental group significantly increased after the education compared to the control group. The mean area of attitude after the intervention showed a more significant increase compared to other areas.

The results showed the effect of the educational program based on the theory of planned behavior on the constructs of attitude, behavior, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, and behavioral intention related to increased breakfast consumption among the first-grade high school students. Therefore, considering the appropriate context of education in schools, the low cost, and effectiveness of educational interventions, theory-based design, and implementation of educational interventions based on the mentioned structures can be suggested to increase breakfast consumption.