Measurement Properties of Psychosocial and Environmental Measures Associated with Fruit and Vegetable Intake among Middle School Adolescents

ObjectiveTo assess the measurement properties of several scales modified or created to assess factors related to fruit and vegetable intake within a young adolescent population.DesignCross-sectional with data collected via self-report.SettingData were collected in regularly scheduled classes in the school setting.ParticipantsAfrican American and Caucasian middle school students (ages 11-15 years).Variables MeasuredSelf-efficacy, modeling, outcome expectations, normative beliefs, parental food management practices, and influences on food choice.AnalysisPearson correlations, factor analysis, and Cronbach α.ResultsSubscales with adequate to good internal consistencies (0.65-0.88) were established. Fruit and vegetable intake was significantly correlated with self-efficacy, parent and peer modeling, family and peer normative beliefs, and social and health outcome expectations. Fruit and vegetable intake was not significantly correlated with permissive eating, food self-preparation, or the 3 subscales measuring influences on food choice (social influence, avoiding weight-gain food, and appeal and access).Conclusions and ImplicationsThese measures, most originally developed for children and adults and modified for this study, demonstrated adequate measurement properties for an adolescent sample.