Predicting intended and self-perceived sugar restriction among Tanzanian students using the theory of planned behavior

This study examines the applicability and sufficiency of the Theory of Plan ned Behavior (TPB) in predicting intention and self-perceived behavior with respect to avoiding between-meal intake of sugared snacks and drinks. One thousand one hundred and twenty-three Tanzanian students (mean age 26.4 yea rs) completed self-administered questionnaires designed to measure the comp onents of the TPB during May-July, 1999. Self-perceived sugar consumption w as obtained in a subsample of respondents (n = 228) four weeks later. The T PB provided a significant prediction of intention (R-2 = 0.44), with attitu de (beta = 0.25), subjective norms (beta = 0.28) and perceived behavioral c ontrol (beta = 0.35) significant, and subsequent behavior (R-2 = 0.15, With intention (beta = 0.25) and perceived behavioral control (beta = 0.18) sig nificant. Frequency of past behavior explained a significant, albeit small, amount of additional variance in intention (1 percent) and behavior (4 per cent). The results indicate that the TPB is applicable to the prediction of food choice-related intention and behavior among young adult students livi ng in a non-occidental setting.