Understanding Reduced-fat Milk Consumption Among Male Adolescents Using the Theory of Planned Behavior

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda

A study analyzes determinants of reduced-fat milk intake among 560 male students aged 13–18 attending North Los Angeles County public high schools. A group-administered Theory of Planned Behavior questionnaire measures current milk consumption and predicts intention through attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control. Attitude, subjective norm, and control significantly predict intention, explaining 62% of variance, with attitude strongest. Taste and health expectations shape attitude; families and doctors shape subjective norm; home and school availability shape perceived control. Results inform health program planning to increase intake.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

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ABSTRACT

THEORETICAL MODEL

Understanding Reduced-fat Milk Consumption Among Male Adolescents Using the Theory of Planned Behavior Nada O. Kassem and Jerry W. Lee ABSTRACT This study identifies factors that influences reduced-fat milk consumption among 560 male students, ages 13-18 years, attending North Los Angeles County public high schools. Participants completed a group-administered Theory of Planned Behavior-based questionnaire. The majority of the participants, 94.8%, reported that they currently drank some kind of milk. Of those who reported that they drank milk, 68.2% reported that they currently drank reduced-fat milk or skim milk. Attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control were each significant predictors of intention to drink reduced-fat milk and together explained 62% of its variance. The strongest predictor was attitude, followed by perceived behavioral control and subjective norm. Taste and possible health benefits were the primary predictors of attitude; parents, siblings and doctors’ opinions predicted subjective norm; and availability of reduced-fat milk at home and school predicted perceived control. These findings may guide health professionals in planning programs intended to increase reduced-fat milk consumption among male adolescents. Osteoporosis, a debilitating skeletal disease characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD), is associated with bone fragility and fractures.1 Rodriguez, et al.,2 and Bacon,3 using the 1970-1983 and 1965-1993 National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) data respectively, reported that the incidence rate for hip fractures among older males is increasing. Although not as prevalent as in women, hip fractures in men represent a public health concern.4 Nearly onethird of hip fractures occur in men.5 Studies have shown that the mortality rate following hip fractures is higher in men than in women.6 Moreover, Center, et al.,7 investi- gating the mortality that is associated with all fractures in elderly women and men found that men in all major fracture groups had consistently higher standardized mortality ratios than women. Siddiqui, et al.,1 reported that almost 1.5 million American men have osteoporosis, and an additional 3.5 million are at risk. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that one in eight men over 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in his lifetime.10 Melton, et al.,8 based on the results of their study, reported that bone density predicted fracture risk in men as it did in women; and Vega, et al.,9 concluded that men with ver- tebral osteoporotic fractures had reduced vertebral BMD that could be the result of achieving a reduced bone size at the end of the growth period or a failure of periosteal Nada O. Kassem, DrPH, MS, RN, is with the Department of Health Promotion and Education at Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda, CA 92350; E-mail: [nadakassem@hotmail.com. Jerry W. Lee](nadakassem@hotmail.com. Jerry W. Lee), PhD, MA, is a professor of health promotion and education at Loma Linda University, School of Public Health, Department of Health Promotion and Education, Loma Linda, CA 92350. 16 American Journal of Health Education—January/February 2005, Volume 36, No. 1 Nada O. Kassem and Jerry W. Lee increase during adult life. The NIH reported that osteoporosis is more likely to occur if one did not achieve optimal bone mass during one’s bone building years.10 This is alarming since, based on 2000 Census data, The National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) reported that in 2002 11.8 million men were estimated to have low bone mass and this number is expected to increase to 14.4 million by 2010.11 Therefore, to reduce the prevalence of osteoporosis and its associated fractures, osteoporosis prevention efforts should focus on building optimal bone mass during childhood and adolescence and on promoting lifelong bone health in both males and females. Approximately 50% of to

FAQs

How many male adolescents participated, and what was their age range?

The study included 560 male students aged 13–18 years.

Which Theory of Planned Behavior factors predicted intention to drink reduced-fat milk?

Attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control each significantly predicted intention.

What most strongly influenced intention, and what shaped the key predictors?

Attitude was the strongest predictor. Taste and possible health benefits drove attitude; parents, siblings, and doctors’ opinions influenced subjective norm; home and school availability of reduced-fat milk predicted perceived control.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Grenda