Perceived Parental and Peer Social Support Is Associated With Healthier Diets in Adolescents

Objective

Investigate associations between perceived parental/peer support for a healthy diet and adolescent dietary behaviors using data from the 2009–2011 School Physical Activity and Nutrition (SPAN) survey.

Design

A secondary analysis of SPAN, a cross-sectional statewide study using a validated self-administered questionnaire, assessed obesity-related behaviors.

Setting

Probability-based sample of Texas 8th- and 11th-grade students.

Participants

A total of 6,716 8th- and 11th-grade students.

Main Outcome Measures

Obtained by self-report and included sugary beverage consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, and SPAN healthy eating score.

Analysis

Multiple logistic regression and linear regression were used to determine associations, controlling for demographic variables.

Results

For every 1-point increase in parental support (range, 0–12), adolescents had 1.19 times higher odds of consuming ≥1 fruits or vegetables/d (P < .001) and 1.1 times lower odds of consuming ≥2 sugary beverages/d (P < .05), and had a SPAN healthy eating score (range, –100 to 100) that was 1.6 points higher (P < .001). For every 1-point increase in peer support, adolescents had 1.14 times higher odds of consuming ≥1 fruits and vegetables/d (P < .001) and a higher SPAN healthy eating score (P < .05).

Conclusions and Implications

Parental/peer support was associated with healthier dietary behaviors. Future research could conduct pre-post intervention studies to determine whether an increase in parental/peer support is associated with positive changes in healthier eating.