Objective: To develop and test a dietary behavior model that predicted
healthy food choice (i.e., foods consistent with dietary guideline re
commendations). It was hypothesized that sociodemographic factors (age
, sex, household income and composition), health-related cognitive/rat
ional factors (beliefs and knowledge), affective/emotional factors (fo
od preference), and nonhealth-related factors (personal appearance con
cern) would be associated with the purchase of healthy food. Methods:
Study was based on a cross-sectional representative sample (n=322) of
the general population. Results: Predictors of healthy food choice (in
order of strength) were food preference, acceptance of the diet-healt
h relationship, living alone, residence in a high-income household, an
d concern about personal appearance. Conclusion: Health promotion prog
rams need to reflect the diversity of determinants of dietary behavior
and their relative saliency in the food choice decision.