Table 4 Items and factor loadings from an exploratory three factor solution of perceived behavioral control toward use of vegetable parenting practices and confirmatory factor analysis model fit criteria

Perceived behavioral control of positive influences on vegetable consumption: “How easy would it be to get my child to eat more vegetables if I…”

…ask them to select vegetables at the grocery store.

…show them I enjoy eating vegetables.

…ask them to help with vegetable preparation.

…tell them eating vegetables will make them strong and healthy.

…tell them that vegetables taste good.

…praise them when I see them eat vegetables.

…ask them to choose their vegetables for meals and snacks.

…schedule meals for them.

…mix vegetables with their favorite foods.

…encourage them to try a couple of bites of a vegetable.

…allow them to serve themselves vegetables.

…tell them that their favorite cartoon characters eat vegetables.

…limit cookies, chips and candy in our house.

Perceived behavioral control of negative influences on vegetable consumption: “How easy would it be to get my child to eat more vegetables if I…”

…give them something sweet to eat or drink if they are upset.

…keep lots of sweets (candy, ice cream, cake, pies, pastries) in our house.

…give them something sweet to eat or drink if they are bored.

…allow them to drink sweet drinks.

…drink soda in front of them.

…let them eat between meals whenever they want.

…give them multiple servings of food regardless of whether they have eaten their vegetable.

…take multiple helpings of other food in front of them.

…am so busy that I don’t notice when they talk about the food.

…do not respond when they ask about the food.

…let them watch TV at meals.

Perceived behavioral control of negative parenting practices: “How easy would it be to get my child to eat more vegetables if I…”

…insist they sit at the table until they eat their vegetables.

…beg them to eat vegetables.

…make them feel guilty when they don’t eat vegetables.

…promise them something other than food if they finish their vegetables.

Eigenvalue

Variance explained

Perceived behavioral control of positive influences on vegetable consumption

Perceived behavioral control of negative influences on vegetable consumption

Perceived behavioral control of negative parenting practices

Model fit indices from a three factor confirmatory factor analysis

X ²

df

p

RMSEA

SRMR

CFI

TLI

Items not included in a final solution: “How easy would it be to get my child to eat more vegetables if I…”

…cut back on how often we eat at restaurants or fast food places.

…tell them they will get a stomach-ache if they eat too many cookies, chips and candies instead of vegetables.