| dc.description.abstract | Factors such as parental/caregiver influences and socioeconomic status have been shown to impact food-related attitudes and behaviors. Consequently, these attitudes and behaviors affect health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess, using the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), attitudes toward milk fat type and milk consumption among Texas WIC participants. Few studies, using this theoretical framework, have examined milk intake specifically among this population. Four hypotheses were proposed according to the theoretical model. The inclusionary criteria used for this study yielded a subset sample of 2,115; all cases included were Texas WIC participants. The results of this study show that caregivers' attitudes toward drinking and offering milk fat type are related. Caregivers' attitudes toward drinking milk fat type and the type of milk they drank were proven to be statistically significant. Similarly, caregivers' attitudes toward offering milk fat type and the milk fat type their children drank were proven to be significant. Caregivers' milk intakes were positively associated with children's milk intakes. It is evident that parental/caregiver modeling influences children's dietary habits. Parental/caregiver behaviors are important influences to consider when implementing nutrition education programs or intervention efforts, especially for participants of WIC. Improving caregivers' attitudes toward low-fat or fat-free milk intake can also contribute to healthier food-related choices. | en |
