Volume 25, Issue 5: October, 1998

Abstract

SOCIAL SUPPORT AND READINESS TO MAKE DIETARY CHANGES

Glorian Sorensen, PhD, MPH
Anne Stoddard, ScD
Everly Macario, MS, EdM

This article examines the relationship between reported social support and readiness to increase fruit and vegetable consumption, based on the Transtheoretical Stage of Change Model. Data were collected as part of the baseline assessments for a work site intervention study promoting increased consumption of fruits and vegetables. Among workers who did not live alone, household support was significantly higher for those of Hispanic and African American heritage than other groups, and was also higher among men, nonsmokers, and those living with adults compared to those living only with children. In multivariate analyses, coworker support was significantly associated with being in preparation compared to precontemplation/contemplation. Household support was not significantly related to readiness to change in multivariate analyses. The effectiveness of work site nutrition education interventions is likely to be enhanced by teaching participants to provide social support to coworkers and family members.