Assessing intentions to eat low-glycemic index foods by adults with diabetes using a new questionnaire based on the theory of planned behaviour.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to understand which Theory of Planned Behaviour constructs, demographic characteristics, and diabetes-related variables best predict intention to consume a low-glycemic-index diet among people with diabetes.
Results Summary
The study found that instrumental attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control significantly predicted intentions to eat a low-GI diet. Older age, higher income, female gender, type 2 diabetes, diet-only treatment, and understanding of the GI were positively associated with intention to consume a low-GI diet.
Population
369 adults (30-75 years) with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low-GI diet | decrease | blood glucose levels | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes | - | reduction and maintenance of healthy blood glucose levels | #1 |
low-GI diet | increase | intention to eat a low-GI diet | older age adults with diabetes | - | positively associated with intention to eat | #2 |
low-GI diet | increase | intention to eat a low-GI diet | higher income adults with diabetes | - | positively associated with intention to eat | #3 |
low-GI diet | increase | intention to eat a low-GI diet | female adults with diabetes | - | positively associated with intention to eat | #4 |
low-GI diet | increase | intention to eat a low-GI diet | adults with type 2 diabetes | - | positively associated with intention to eat | #5 |
low-GI diet | increase | intention to eat a low-GI diet | adults with diabetes treatment (diet only) | - | positively associated with intention to eat | #6 |
low-GI diet | increase | intention to eat a low-GI diet | adults with understanding of the GI | - | positively associated with intention to eat | #7 |
instrumental attitude | increase | intentions to eat a low-GI diet | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes | beta = 0.24 | significantly predicted intentions to eat | #8 |
subjective norms | increase | intentions to eat a low-GI diet | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes | beta = 0.13 | significantly predicted intentions to eat | #9 |
perceived behavioural control | increase | intentions to eat a low-GI diet | adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes | beta = 0.55 | significantly predicted intentions to eat | #10 |
OBJECTIVE: The Canadian Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes choose foods with low-glycemic index (GI). This study developed a questionnaire measuring Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) constructs relative to consuming a low-GI diet by people with diabetes so as to achieve a better understanding of which TPB constructs, demographic characteristics and diabetes-related variables best predict intention to consume a low-GI diet. METHOD: A questionnaire to measure intentions to consume a low-GI diet was developed based on TPB constructs and was administered to 369 adults (30 to 75 years) with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Responses were analyzed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: More than 90% of participants (mean age, 56.5±10.8 years; mean body mass index, 30.5±7.2 kg/m(2)) cited reduction and maintenance of healthy blood glucose levels as an advantage of eating low-GI foods. Older age, higher income, female gender, having type 2 diabetes, diabetes treatment (diet only) and understanding of the GI were positively associated with intention to eat a low-GI diet. TPB constructs that significantly predicted intentions to eat a low-GI diet were instrumental attitude (beta = 0.24, p<0.001); subjective norms (beta = 0.13, p=0.007); and perceived behavioural control (beta = 0.55, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This new questionnaire is a valid tool to assess TPB constructs contributing to intentions to eat a low-GI diet by people with diabetes. Future studies that use this questionnaire can shed light on how TPB concepts in clinical practice can help people with diabetes to change their dietary intake.