Abstract
BackgroundObesity is one of the fastest growing modern day epidemics affecting preventable disease and premature deaths. Healthy lifestyle behaviours, such as physical activity and nutritional consumption, have been shown to reduce the likelihood of obesity and obesity related health risks. Originally designed for measurement of unhealthy behaviours, the Stages of Change model, describes ‘precontemplators’ as individuals who engage in the unhealthy behaviour, are unaware that their behaviour is problematic, and are resistant to change. The aim of this study was to refine and assess the measures of the Stages of Change model in order to achieve a concise and reliable classification of precontemplators, in the context of healthy behaviours.MethodsEight hundred and ninety-seven employees participated in a health survey measuring current health behaviours and stage of change. This study compared a traditional precontemplation measure to a modified version in the assessment of two healthy behaviours: physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption.ResultsThe modified measure was more accurate and captured fewer individuals currently meeting the guideline for both physical activity and nutrition, compared to the traditional measure of stages of change. However, across all stages of change, the measure incorrectly classified some employees with regards to meeting health guidelines.ConclusionsWhen applied to healthy behaviours, the stages of change measure for precontemplation should be further refined to reflect knowledge that the behaviour is unhealthy, and apathy to change. Additionally, measures should define health guidelines to increase reliable classification across all stages of change. The findings can be applied to inform the design and implementation of health promotion strategies targeting obesity related lifestyle behaviours in the general population.
Highlights
Obesity is one of the fastest growing modern day epidemics affecting preventable disease and premature deaths
Adults who continue to engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours considerably increase their risk of obesity, obesity related health risks, and premature death [5]
The modified survey measure of ‘precontemplation’ was more reliable at capturing participants who reported not engaging in the healthy behaviours of physical activity and nutrition, as assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines [2]
Summary
Obesity is one of the fastest growing modern day epidemics affecting preventable disease and premature deaths. Healthy lifestyle behaviours, such as physical activity and nutritional consumption, have been shown to reduce the likelihood of obesity and obesity related health risks. Adults who continue to engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviours considerably increase their risk of obesity, obesity related health risks, and premature death [5]. It is imperative for health professionals to understand behaviour change models that explain variation in lifestyle behaviours in order to design effective obesity prevention behaviour change interventions
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