Diet-specific social support among rural adolescents.

OBJECTIVE

The relationships among primary sources of social support in adolescents' environments (family and friends) and eating behaviors (fat and fiber consumption) were examined in a sample of rural adolescents.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional baseline health surveys were administered in classrooms as part of a larger randomized trial evaluating a cancer education program.

SETTING

Data were collected in middle schools drawn from 22 rural counties in Virginia and New York.

PARTICIPANTS

1942 sixth graders with a modal age of 12 years, roughly equal gender distribution, and racially diverse (53% white, 37% black).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Variables included a 10-item scale of social support from family and friends for healthy eating, a brief food frequency questionnaire estimating daily grams of fat and fiber intake, and demographics (age, gender, race).

ANALYSIS

Hierarchical multiple regressions and analyses of variance (ANOVAs).

RESULTS

Controlling for demographics, family and friend support were found to significantly predict fat (P < .05) and fiber (P < .01) intake. Black respondents reported higher support from friends than did white adolescents (F = 47.49, P < .01).

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE

Support for healthful eating was related to healthful dietary practices and differed among racial subgroups. Identifying and fostering sources of positive support for healthful eating is critical to developing effective health promotion programs targeting high-risk adolescents.