Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to study the association between health consciousness, health belief model and intention to engage in healthy activities in addition to use restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

An electronic questionnaire was distributed through social media and university website including questions on demographic variables and Likert scaled aspects of health consciousness, health belief model and behavioral intention to practice healthy habits and use fast-food restaurants.

Findings

A total of 92 Palestinian adults participated in this study. Age 28.5 ± 9.7 years. Of the studied group, 28.6% were males, body mass index = 24.4 ± 4.1 kg/m². Average health consciousness was 12.3 ± 3.1, health belief model (susceptibility = 10.4 ± 6.8, severity = 12.7 ± 7.2, benefit = 28.1 ± 5.3 and barriers = 17.8 ± 6.8) and for behavioral intention = 21.1 ± 6.4. In final regression models, only benefit was significantly associated with health consciousness (B = 0.18 ± 0.07, p = 0.012) and behavioral intention B = 0.26 ± 0.13, p = 0.05). Only barrier and severity were associated significantly with number of using restaurants weekly (0.04 ± 0.02, p = 0.03) and (0.05 ± 0.02, p = 0.004), respectively.

Research limitations/implications

Health belief model partially explained use of restaurants and healthy lifestyle among Palestinians. This is a cross-sectional design and future clinical trials are needed.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to address the role of health belief model and health consciousness in improving dietary style and habits.

Keywords

• Physical activity
• Diet
• Restaurants
• Health belief model

 

العنوان

Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 53 No. 6,

الناشر

Emerald Publishing Limited

بلد الناشر

المملكة المتحدة

Indexing

Scopus

معامل التأثير

None

نوع المنشور

Both (Printed and Online)

المجلد

53

السنة

2023

الصفحات

977-985