| Dietary fat and fiber intakes are acknowledged as risk factors for heart disease and some cancers, the leading causes of mortality in the U.S. Thus dietary behavior is targeted in interventions to prevent diet related illnesses. Building on value expectancy theories and the self concept framework, a conceptual model was developed to predict dietary behavior.; This study explored the relationships between self thoughts about future health, eating styles, self efficacy, body weight, personality traits and social identities, in addition to nutrition knowledge and demographic variables, and their predictive power over dietary intention and behavior. New measures were developed for self cognitions related to eating and personality, and intention. Pilot testing was done and revisions made, then acceptable reliabilities were achieved in the main study (α > .7).; A mailed survey was sent to a sample of 401 middle-aged working adults, with 78 questionnaires returned (response rate = 19.5%). Hierarchical regression with moderation and mediation testing were used to test the cognitive model, explaining 65% of the variance in intention and 58% of variance in dietary intake. Self-efficacy and being on a special diet were the most significant predictors of intention (β values .67 and .24, respectively), and both moderated the effect of self-knowledge as ‘healthy eater’ on intention. Health related fears had indirect effects on intention mediated through self-efficacy, whereas diet health association knowledge had indirect effects through self-knowledge as healthy eater.; Intention and being on a special diet were the most significant predictors of behavior (β values .53 and .22, respectively), with intention mediating the effect of self-knowledge as healthy eater, and the latter variable mediating the effect of education on behavior.; Logistic regression of self knowledge as healthy eater showed self efficacy, diet health association knowledge, enjoyment of food and self perception as overweight to be significant predictors, classifying correctly 76% of cases.; The findings suggest that when counseling individuals about diet, nurses need to start by assessing how their clients view themselves in relation to their eating habits, body weight and health. Intervention then must be tailored to those self-beliefs. |
