Does subjective well-being

predict health-enhancing
behavior? The example of
fruit and vegetable
consumption
Josephine Ung
Health Psychology
Dr. Lynn Willmott
Background
Does subjective well-being add to the Theory of
Planned Behavior (TPB) in predicting fruit and
vegetable (FV) consumption?





Recent research: Significant association between
contentment and FV consumption based on an
optimism test.
Goal and Hypothesis
Purpose: Analyze subjective well-being (life
satisfaction) and theory of planned-behavior as
ultimate predictors of FV consumption.
World Health Organization recommends: 5
servings of vegetable and 2 servings of fruit per
day.
If there is a strong correlation or causation, there is
potential to design an effective intervention in
targeting FV consumption, or perhaps healthy
behaviors in general.
Hypothesis: Attitudes and subjective norms will
predict intentions of FV consumption, then
intentions will directly predict behavior. Subjective
well-being will add to the TPB.

Experimental Method
72 undergraduates (59 female, 13 male) from
Australian university for online measures and
questionnaire.
TPB variables: intention, attitude, subjective norm,
and perceived behavioral control
Subjective well-being tests:
1. Steen Happiness Index: 24 items to fully
analyze feelings in the past week.
2. Satisfaction with Life Scale: 5 statements for
rating
FV consumption: Fruit and vegetable screener for
one week (determine amount of servings of
approved fruits and vegetables using a full-length
questionnaire) then average determined based on
a previous formula
Results and Assessment
Average FV consumption: 4.21
servings (SD = 1.35)
This is consistent with previous
research (one survey stated only 4%
of adults met guidelines)!
3-step regression analysis to predict
FV consumption.
Subjective well-being: significant
contribution to the variance between
intention and actual behavior for fruit
(1.7%) and vegetable (4.3%)
consumption Presence of happiness
predicted consumption
Criticism & Possible
Directions
83% of the participant pool were
female
Measurements done over the past
week may not be enough time
A self-record or eating diary may be
better than a screener

Look for a more heterogenous sample
in regards to gender, age, geographic
region (or perhaps multiple studies in
different regions?)
References
Ting Ding, Barbara Mullan, Kristina
Xavier, (2014) Does subjective well-
being predict health-enhancing
behaviour? The example of fruit and
vegetable consumption, British Food
Journal, 116, 4, 598 610
Ogden, Jane (2004). Health
Psychology (3rd edition). Location:
Maidenhead, England.

Questions
Do you think the converse is possible?
While subjective well-being and
optimism may predict direct behavior
of fruit and vegetable consumption, do
you think that a negative well-being
may predict consumption of foods high
in sugars/fats or alcohol/drugs?
Do you think the reverse fruit and
vegetable consumption actually
leading to positive well-being and
optimism is possible?
Open to other questions