Applying the trans-theoretical model to determine the mediating effect self-efficacy in breakfast consumption among children

Purpose Regular breakfast with a variety of nutrients can lead to improving educational performance, learning ability, reducing behavioral problems in elementary students. This study aims to use the Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM) to assess the mediating effect of self-efficacy in regular breakfast consumption among children of Ardabil elementary schools. Design/methodology/approach This cross-sectional study was performed between 300 students from elementary schools of different regions of Ardabil city by cluster sampling method. The instrument used in this study was the TTM standard questionnaire. Data was analyzed with Spearman correlation and regression using SPSS v18 software to identify the mediating effects of self-efficacy. Findings The mean age (SD) OF children was 11.2 (1.26) and 50% of them were female. Self-efficacy was the strongest predictor in stage promotion (ß = 0.44, P = 0.001), as well as had a mediating effect on the impact of other constructs of the model such as experiential processes (ß = 0.35, P = 0.04) and pros (ß = 0.44, P = 0.03) with stages of change. Pros were a significant predictor of self-efficacy in the first equation (ß = 0.17, P = 0.001) and Pros were a significant predictor of stages of change in the second equation when mediated by self-efficacy (ß = 0.11, P = 0.03). In the third equation, both the mediator, myself-efficacy and the predictor, Pros of breakfast consumption, were significantly associated with stages of change. The mediating effects of self-efficacy on the association between experiential processes and stages of change were also confirmed. The increased standardized beta coefficients of experiential processes between equations 3(ß = 0.35) and 2(ß = 0.29). Originality/value Due to the importance of eating a healthy breakfast regularly in children, this study aimed to use TTM to assess mediating effects of self-efficacy in regular breakfast consumption in Ardabil elementary students.