Social cognitive determinants of saturated fat intake among obese individuals: An application of the Health Action Process Approach

Objective: To test the applicability of the Health action process approach (HAPA) model in relation to saturated fat intake in a sample of obese adults and the additional effect of feelings of worry within the HAPA model. Method: Obese participants (n=581) with a mean age of 47 years (SD=8.3) and a mean Body Mass Index of 36 kg/m 2 (SD=5.7) self‐reported online measures of risk perceptions, action self‐efficacy, outcome expectancies, intentions, maintenance self‐ efficacy, action planning and saturated fat intake (2 measures). The data were analysed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results: The overall HAPA model provided a good fit to the data. In the motivational phase, intention was predicted by action self‐efficacy (β=0.45), followed by two of the three outcome expectancies constructs (β physical = 0.24, β losses =‐0.12) and risk perceptions (β= 0.15). Worry was a mediator in the relationship between risk perceptions and intentions (β= 0.15) and adding worry improved the model's fit. In the volitional phase, self‐reported saturated fat intake was predicted by action planning (β fatintake1 = 0.43, β fatintake2 =‐0.28), which was predicted by intention (β= 0.38). Maintenance self‐efficacy had no direct effect on saturated fat intake, but an indirect effect via planning (β saturatedfat1 = 0.15; β saturatedfat2 = ‐0.09). Conclusions: The HAPA model appeared useful in predicting saturated fat intake among obese adults. Worry, currently outside the realm of most theoretical constructs, may be considered as an additional determinant of saturated fat intake.