Exploring Temporal Self-regulation Theory to Predict Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption

Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is a high-risk dietary behaviour and represents a pressing public health concern. The present research aimed to utilize temporal self-regulation theory to explore the intention-behaviour gap in SSB consumption in adults. A prospective correlational design (two data collection points) was used. A convenience sample of 387 Australian adults completed online questionnaires measuring intention, habit strength, environmental cues, past behaviour and self-control. One week later, 292 participants (76% female), aged 17 to 72 years ( = 24.72,  = 7.98) completed a self-report measure of SSB intake over the previous week (attrition 23.8%). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed partial support for temporal self-regulation theory, with the model predicting 32.9% of the variance in consumption, and a large effect size ( = 0.53). Intention accounted for 17.9% (Δ = .19, < .001) variance in behaviour. Habit and environmental cues together accounted for an additional 13.8% (Δ = .32, < .001). Self-control did not predict consumption, and no interaction effects were found on the intention-behaviour relationship. Reflective and automatic processes were both important predictors of consumption. Intention, habit, and environmental cues may be suitable intervention targets to reduce consumption.