Year: 2021
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Self‐regulation plays an important role in healthy eating behaviors. The current research explores temporary fluctuations in self‐regulation next to variations between individuals. In an online observational study, 892 participants (M age = 44.3, SD age = 12.7) monitored their self‐regulation three times a week before a meal moment for 3 weeks. To analyze the data, a random intercept and slopes model was used, including variables on within‐individual level (i.e. meal moment, tiredness, distractedness, social, and physical environment) and variables on between‐individual level (i.e. self‐efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and perception of social and physical opportunity). Self‐regulation was found to be higher at breakfast compared with dinner (estimate = −0.08, p < .001), higher at home than out‐of‐home (estimate = −0.08, p < .001) and lower when individuals are more tired (estimate = 0.04, p < .001) and distracted (estimate = 0.07, p < .001). Moreover, self‐regulation was higher for individuals with higher levels of intrinsic motivation (estimate = 0.19, p < .001) and self‐efficacy (estimate = 0.41, p < .001). Insights from this research advance our knowledge regarding temporal influences on self‐regulation and can provide input for behavior change tools such as personalized dietary advice.
DOI: 10.1111/aphw.12295
Institution: Wageningen University & Research
Language: English
Subfield: Applied Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,000
Award: G2157331788
OpenAlex ID: W3185709293