Understanding choice of milk and bread for breakfast among Swedish children aged 11-15 years: an application of the Theory of Planned Behaviour

The present study examined the influences of attitudes, social norms, perce ived control and underlying beliefs on 11 to 15-year-olds' breakfast choice s of milk with different fat content and high-fibre bread. All pupils in th e 5th, 7th and 9th grades in Molndal community (N = 1730), Sweden, were ask ed to complete a questionnaire based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour. Tw o weeks later, they were asked to fill in a 7-day record of food consumed f or breakfast. Consumption of milk and high-fibre bread was predicted from i ntentions, and for milk also by perceived behavioural control. Intentions w ere influenced by attitudes, perceptions of significant others' preferences , and perceived control. In addition, perception of the parents' consumptio n (descriptive norm) of the specific food played an important role. Attitud es, norms and perceived control predicted intentions to a similar extent in each age group. Attitudes to the consumption of milk and high fibre bread were influenced by beliefs about their sensory and health aspects. Females and the oldest children had greater knowledge about the healthier alternati ves and the oldest children had a tendency to choose healthier options. (C) 2000 Academic Press.