Predicting Intentions to Eat a Healthful Diet by College Baseball Players: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior

Objective: To assess factors important to college baseball players regarding intention to cat a healthful diet within the Theory of Planned Behavior. Design: A survey based on the Theory of Planned Behavior was administered during he 2006 summer league season from 5 of the Northern Division teams of the Coastal Plain League. Participants: Male undergraduate college baseball players (mean [standard deviation (SD)] age 20.25 [1.12]). Phenomenon of Interest: prediction of behavioral intention to cat a healthful diet. Analysis: Regression analysis was used to assess how well the variables of the Theory of Planned Behavior predicted behavioral intention to cat a healthful diet. Results: Attitude, Subjective norms, and perceived behavior control variables accounted for 72% of the variance in behavioral intention to cat a healthful diet. Attitude had the greatest influence on intention (beta=.383 P<.001), followed by subjective norms (beta=.291, P<.001), and perceived behavioral control (beta=.269, P<.001). Athletes' daily schedule and their perception of the impact of a healthful diet on their focus and concentration had the biggest impact on intention to cat healthful food. Conclusions and implications: University athletic administration must emphasize providing access to healthful food, especially during the season, both at home and while traveling to games.