An investigation into the relevance of action planning, theory of planned behaviour concepts, and automaticity for fruit intake action control

Objectives
In the action control framework, intention-behaviour discordance is studied around public health guidelines. Although this framework has been applied to physical activity behaviours, it has only seen very limited attention regarding fruit intake. The purpose of this study was therefore to investigate distributions and predictors of fruit intake intention-behaviour discordance.

Design
Prospective correlational design.

Methods
Data were obtained from undergraduate students (n = 413) using validated questionnaires. Variables from the theory of planned behaviour, automaticity, and action planning were assessed at baseline, and fruit intake was assessed 2 weeks later. Data were analysed using discriminant function analyses and analyses of variance.

Results
The proportion of unsuccessful intenders ranged from 39.2% to 80.8%. There was a larger proportion of fruit intake intenders amongst those who reported strong automatic fruit intake. Action control was predicted by fruit intake automaticity and affective attitudes, but the strongest predictor was perceived behavioural control. No action planning items were related to fruit intake action control.

Conclusions
There is considerable asymmetry in the intention-fruit intake relationship. An application of the action control framework may stimulate debate on the applicability of intention-based models at the public health level.

Statement of contribution
What is already known on this subject?
Intention is theorized to be a key construct in fruit intake.
Studies in the physical activity domain indicate that nearly half of the people with positive intentions fail to subsequently act.
What does this study add?
The proportion of unsuccessful intenders ranged from 39.2% to 80.8%.
Holding positive intentions is not sufficient to consume fruit at suggested public health guidelines.
Perceived behavioural control is the most important predictor of fruit intake action control.