Researchers surveyed 476 Saudi women to understand why they don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables, even when they think it’s a good idea. The study found that women know fruits and vegetables are healthy and want to eat more of them, but something stops them from actually doing it. The biggest barrier wasn’t their attitude or what family thinks—it was their confidence in their ability to actually prepare and eat these foods regularly. When women felt more confident about planning healthy meals and had family support, they were much more likely to actually eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Why don’t Saudi women eat enough fruits and vegetables even though they know it’s healthy? Researchers looked at what stops them from eating more.
  • Who participated: 476 Saudi women between ages 18 and 59 from all five regions of Saudi Arabia answered questions online about their eating habits and what influences their food choices.
  • Key finding: Women averaged only 3.33 servings of fruits and vegetables per day (less than the recommended amount). The main reason they didn’t eat more wasn’t that they didn’t care—it was that they didn’t feel confident they could actually do it. When women felt more capable of planning healthy meals, they ate significantly more fruits and vegetables.
  • What it means for you: If you struggle to eat enough fruits and vegetables, the problem might not be that you don’t want to—it might be that you need more confidence and practical skills. Learning meal planning and having family support can make a real difference. This is especially relevant for women in Saudi Arabia and similar cultures where family meals are important.

The Research Details

This was a cross-sectional study, which means researchers took a snapshot in time rather than following people over months or years. They recruited 476 Saudi women and asked them to complete an online survey with questions about their attitudes toward fruits and vegetables, what they actually eat, how confident they feel about eating healthy, and what their families think about healthy eating.

The researchers used a framework called the Theory of Planned Behavior, which is a well-established way to understand why people do (or don’t do) certain things. They tested two versions: the original framework and an expanded version that included additional factors like knowledge about nutrition and how often families eat meals together.

To analyze the data, they used a statistical method called structural equation modeling, which helps show how different factors connect to each other and influence behavior. This method is like mapping out a chain reaction—showing which factors directly cause behavior change and which ones work indirectly.

This research approach is important because it goes beyond just asking ‘Do you eat vegetables?’ It explores the psychological reasons behind food choices. Understanding whether the problem is knowledge, confidence, family pressure, or something else helps create better solutions. The extended model they tested adds real-world factors like family meal traditions, which are particularly important in Saudi culture.

This study has several strengths: it included a reasonably large sample (476 women), covered all regions of Saudi Arabia, and used validated questionnaires that have been tested in previous research. However, because it’s a snapshot study rather than following people over time, we can’t prove that one factor definitely causes another—only that they’re connected. The study also relied on women self-reporting their eating habits, which might not be perfectly accurate. Additionally, the results are most applicable to Saudi women and may not apply equally to other populations.

What the Results Show

The most striking finding was the gap between intention and action. Women in the study had positive attitudes about fruits and vegetables—they believed eating them was good and important. However, they only ate an average of 3.33 servings per day, which is below recommended levels.

When researchers tested the original Theory of Planned Behavior, they found that intention (whether someone planned to eat vegetables) and perceived behavioral control (confidence in their ability to do it) both predicted actual eating behavior. However, the extended model revealed something more important: perceived behavioral control was the only direct factor that predicted whether women actually ate more fruits and vegetables.

This means that even if a woman intended to eat more vegetables, she wouldn’t actually do it unless she felt confident she could. The study found that two things boosted this confidence: having knowledge about nutrition and eating family meals together frequently. When women felt more capable of planning healthy meals and had family support, they ate significantly more fruits and vegetables.

The research also showed that knowledge about nutrition and family meal frequency were important, but they worked indirectly. They didn’t directly make women eat more vegetables. Instead, they first increased women’s confidence and positive attitudes, which then led to eating more vegetables. This suggests that simply giving women nutrition information isn’t enough—they need to feel capable of using that information in their daily lives.

This study builds on decades of research using the Theory of Planned Behavior to understand health behaviors. Previous studies have shown this framework works for many health decisions, but this research adds important cultural context. It shows that in Saudi culture, family meal traditions are particularly important for supporting healthy eating. The finding that confidence (perceived behavioral control) is the strongest predictor aligns with other research on health behavior change, suggesting this is a universal principle across different populations.

The study has several important limitations to consider. First, it only included women, so the results may not apply to men. Second, it was conducted in Saudi Arabia, so cultural factors specific to that region may influence the results. Third, because it’s a snapshot study, we can’t prove that one factor causes another—only that they’re related. Fourth, women self-reported their eating habits, which might not be completely accurate. Finally, the study explains 45% of why women eat vegetables or not, meaning 55% is due to other factors not measured in this research.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, here are evidence-based recommendations: (1) Moderate confidence: Nutrition education alone is not enough—pair it with practical meal planning skills and confidence-building activities. (2) Moderate-to-strong confidence: Involve families in healthy eating initiatives, as family meal frequency strongly supports vegetable consumption. (3) Moderate confidence: Focus on building women’s confidence in their ability to prepare and plan healthy meals, not just telling them vegetables are healthy. (4) Moderate confidence: Create practical tools and resources that make meal planning easier and less intimidating.

These findings are most relevant to Saudi women and women in similar cultural contexts where family meals are central to daily life. Healthcare providers, nutritionists, and public health officials in the Middle East should pay special attention. Women who struggle to eat enough vegetables despite wanting to should consider whether lack of confidence or practical skills might be the barrier. Families and community leaders can use these insights to better support women’s healthy eating. However, men and people in very different cultural contexts may need different approaches.

Building confidence in meal planning typically takes 4-8 weeks of consistent practice. You might see small increases in vegetable consumption within 2-3 weeks, but meaningful habit change usually takes 2-3 months. Family involvement can speed this up. If you’re not seeing progress after 3 months, consider working with a nutritionist or dietitian who can provide personalized support.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily vegetable servings (aim for 5+ per day) and rate your confidence in meal planning on a scale of 1-10 each week. Also note how many family meals you eat together per week. This creates a clear picture of whether confidence or family support is the limiting factor.
  • Use the app to create a simple weekly meal plan with 2-3 vegetable-based meals. Start with recipes that feel manageable, not complicated. Share this plan with family members and invite them to eat together. Rate your confidence after each meal. As confidence grows, gradually try new recipes.
  • Set up weekly check-ins to review your vegetable intake, confidence scores, and family meal frequency. Look for patterns—do you eat more vegetables on days when you feel more confident? When you eat with family? Use these insights to adjust your approach. After 4 weeks, increase your target slightly if you’re consistently meeting your current goal.

This research provides insights into factors that influence vegetable consumption among Saudi women but should not replace personalized medical or nutritional advice. If you have specific health conditions, dietary restrictions, or concerns about your nutrition, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider or registered dietitian. The findings are based on a survey of Saudi women and may not apply equally to all populations. Individual results may vary based on personal circumstances, cultural context, and other health factors not measured in this study.