Factors that influence dietary behavior toward iron and vitamin D consumption based on the theory of planned behavior in Iranian adolescent girls

Ali Alami,Elaheh Lael-Monfared,Zahra Hosseini,Alireza Jafari,Seyedeh Belin Tavakoly Sany,Gordon A Ferns,Maryam Tatari

doi:10.1186/s12937-019-0433-7

Abstract

BackgroundThe impact of iron and vitamin D supplements among adolescent is not well understood. The prevalence of supplement use, and the behavioral intentions of adolescents was studied to better understand the data on supplement intake. We used the theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to explore the determinants that influence supplement intake, and its potential constructs to examine determinants that influence dietary supplement behavior towards the use of iron and vitamin D supplements amongst a sample of Iranian schoolgirl.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 485 adolescent girls aged 12–17 years. Multiple analytical models including hierarchical regression and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used to examine the association between TPB constructs and adolescent’s behavioral intentions to consume dietary supplements.ResultsBased on the results of SEM, constructs of TPB and knowledge were found to predict 74% of the variation in the behavioral intentions of the schoolgirls. SEM indicated that perceived behavioral control (PBC) and knowledge had significant associations with intention behaviors to take nutritional supplements.ConclusionTPB and its constructs were used to establish the determinants of iron and vitamin D intake among schoolgirls in Iran. This outcome indicates that efforts to promote behavioral intentions through targeting subjective norms, attitude, and PBC may promote supplement use.

Highlights

The impact of iron and vitamin D supplements among adolescent is not well understood
This study examined the effects of psychosocial characteristics and individual’s knowledge on adolescent’s intentions to use iron and vitamin D supplements in Iran
This study provides support for the effectiveness of theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and its potential constructs in testing for the determinants of iron and vitamin D supplement intake among adolescent in Iran

Summary

Introduction

The impact of iron and vitamin D supplements among adolescent is not well understood. Several studies have reported that adolescents who consume a diet rich in micronutrients, have a lower risk of and cardiovascular diseases than those with a dietary pattern that is Deficiencies of iron and vitamin D are common in the adolescent population, which can have a negative impact during phases of rapid growth, increasing susceptibility to infection, autoimmune and other chronic disease and impair mental development and learning [10, 11]. Numerous studies have identified an association between poor iron status and low Vitamin D concentration. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of deterioration of iron status and anemia [12,13,14]. It has been hypothesized that vitamin D may influence iron metabolism and erythropoiesis, while iron, in turn, is essential for the synthesis of vitamin D [12, 13]

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