Abstract
In order to understand the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, this
study examined the parental feeding behavior of healthy and unhealthy food to children
ages 2-5, utilizing the Theory of Planned Behavior. The following hypotheses were
posited: Hypothesis 1 - Attitudes and subjective norms and perceived behavioral control
(PBC) positively predict intentions of parents to give healthy foods to their children
during the week. Hypothesis 2 - Attitudes, subjective norms and PBC predict positive
associations with intentions of parents giving unhealthy foods to their children during the
week. Regression was used in the statistical analysis. Results showed that PBC was the
only predictor in the intent of parents to give healthy foods to their children. Attitudes
and PBC independently worked in explaining the variance found in the intent of parents
to give unhealthy foods to their children.
