Stages Of Behavior Change Research Articles

Estágios de mudança de comportamento para a atividade física em adolescentes da Região Amazônica

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of stages of behavior change (SBC) for physical activity and to verify the associated demographic and economic factors, in adolescents from the Amazon. A total of 2,517 adolescents (aged 14-19 years) from public high schools participated of the study. SBC for physical activity, demographic (sex, age, school year, school shift and residence area) and economic factors (occupational status, family income and maternal schooling) were investigated. The associations between SBC and independent variables were tested by multinomial logistic regression. Most adolescents were in the maintenance stage (40.8%) and the minority was in pre-contemplation stage (9.0%). Female adolescents were more likely of being in the action (OR=1.44; CI95%=1.14-1.81), preparation (OR=2.71; CI95%=2.14-3.44), contemplation (OR=2.89; CI95%=2.25-3.69) and pre-contemplation (OR=2.91;CI 95%=2.16-4.00) stages compared to male adolescents. Adolescents aged 16-17 years were less likely of being in the action stage (OR=0.71; CI95%=0.53-0.94) and those aged 18-19 years were more likely of being in the preparation stage (OR=1.50; CI95%=1.04-2.16) compared to those aged 14-15 years. Family income of six minimum wages or more was associated to higher chances of being in the action (OR=2.09; CI95%=1.38-3.17), preparation (OR=2.02; CI95%=1.31- 3.12) and contemplation (OR=1.87; IC95%=1.18-2.95) stages. Adolescents who worked were less likely of being in the pre-contemplation stage (OR=0.45; CI95%=0.27-0.74), compared to those who do not work. Most of adolescents were in the maintenance stage for physical activity. The factors associated to SBC were female sex, age groups of 16-17 years and 18-19 years, income of six minimum wages or more and work.

Stages of behavior change for physical activity in adolescents from the Amazon

Abstract The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of stages of behavior change (SBC) for physical activity and to verify the associated demographic and economic factors, in adolescents from the Amazon. A total of 2.517 adolescents (aged 14-19 years) from public high schools participated of the study. SBC for physical activity, demographic (sex, age, school year, school shift and residence area) and economic factors (occupational status, family income and maternal schooling) were investigated. The associations between SBC and independent variables were tested by multinomial logistic regression. Most adolescents were in the maintenance stage (40.8%) and the minority was in pre-contemplation stage (9.0%). Female adolescents were more likely of being in the action (OR=1.44; CI95%=1.14-1.81), preparation (OR=2.71; CI95%=2.14-3.44), contemplation (OR=2.89; CI95%=2.25-3.69) and pre-contemplation (OR=2.91;CI 95%=2.16-4.00) stages compared to male adolescents. Adolescents aged 16-17 years were less likely of being in the action stage (OR=0.71; CI95%=0.53-0.94) and those aged 18-19 years were more likely of being in the preparation stage (OR=1.50; CI95%=1.04-2.16) compared to those aged 14-15 years. Family income of six minimum wages or more was associated to higher chances of being in the action (OR=2.09; CI95%=1.38-3.17), preparation (OR=2.02; CI95%=1.31- 3.12) and contemplation (OR=1.87; IC95%=1.18-2.95) stages. Adolescents who worked were less likely of being in the pre-contemplation stage (OR=0.45; CI95%=0.27-0.74), compared to those who do not work. Most of adolescents were in the maintenance stage for physical activity. The factors associated to SBC were female sex, age groups of 16-17 years and 18-19 years, income of six minimum wages or more and work.

Exercise self-efficacy correlates in people with psychosis

Despite the recognition of the importance of exercise self-efficacy in exercise adoption and maintenance, previous investigations on exercise self-efficacy in people with psychosis is scarce. The present study aimed to (1) explore if exercise self-efficacy differed between stages of behavior change in Ugandan outpatients with psychosis, and (2) assess sociodemographic, clinical and motivational correlates of exercise self-efficacy. In total, 48 patients (24 women) completed the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), the Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise questionnaire, the Brief Symptoms Inventory-18 (BSI-18), and questions pertaining to intrinsic motivation in the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2. Additionally, participants were asked about their exercise behavior in the past 7 days and screened for cardio-metabolic risk factors. Higher ESES-scores were observed in those in the maintenance (n = 17) versus those in the pre-action stage (n = 17) of behavior change. Higher ESES-scores were also significantly associated with lower BSI-18 somatization and higher intrinsic motivation scores. Our data indicated that health care professionals should assist patients with psychosis in interpreting physiological states during exercise. Future research should explore whether bolstering such sources of information might directly or indirectly effect exercise self-efficacy.

1577P - Barriers to improving awareness of the importance on exercise and dietary intervention, impact of it on lung cancer survivors’ behavior

Background: Awareness of the importance on exercise and dietary intervention can provide significant benefits for lung cancer patients and survivors. This study first aimed to identify the barriers and preferences to improving awareness of the importance on exercise and dietary education. In addition, the study also explored the impact of patients’ awareness of the importance on exercise and diet education toward the stage of behavior change, intention of actual participation to the programs. Methods: Total 830 lung cancer survivors from two hospitals in South Korea participated in this postal questionnaire–survey. Standardized measures including patients’ socio-demographic variables, preferences for appropriate education time and place were identified as the barriers for their awareness of the importance of exercise and diet counseling program. In addition, the impacts of it on each intention of actual participation to both programs and maintaining regular exercise and balanced diet were analyzed in order. Results: Patients who recognized exercise education program very important had more intention of actual participation to the program (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR], 2.11; 95% Confidential Interval [CI], 1.57-2.83). In addition, subjects who recognized diet counseling programs very important maintained their behavior of balanced diet more than 6 months (aOR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.92-3.61). However, significant differences based on the socio-demographic variables and program preferences (i.e., lower education and income, preferred time and place etc.) were identified as main barriers for survivors’ awareness of the importance of the exercise and diet counseling program. Conclusions: Identification of main barriers provides valuable information regarding improving survivors’ awareness of the importance on exercise and dietary intervention, which should be targeted in maintaining future physical activity and balanced diet, and encouraging the intention of actual engagement to the programs. Legal entity responsible for the study: Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea Funding: None Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

A Bit of Fit: Minimalist Intervention in Adolescents Based on a Physical Activity Tracker.

BackgroundOnly 5% of Canadian youth meet the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day, with leisure time being increasingly allocated to technology usage. Direct-to-consumer mHealth devices that promote physical activity, such as wrist-worn physical activity trackers, have features with potential appeal to youth.ObjectiveThe primary purpose of this study was to determine whether a minimalist physical activity tracker-based intervention would lead to an increase in physical activity in young adolescents. A secondary aim of this study was to assess change in physical activity across a 7-week intervention, as measured by the tracker.MethodsUsing a quasi-experimental crossover design, two groups of 23 young adolescents (aged 13-14 years) were randomly assigned to immediate intervention or delayed intervention. The intervention consisted of wearing a Fitbit-Charge-HR physical activity tracker over a 7-week period. Actical accelerometers were used to measure participants’ levels of MVPA before and at the end of intervention periods for each group. Covariates such as age, sex, stage of change for physical activity behavior, and goal commitment were also measured.ResultsThere was an increase in physical activity over the course of the study period, though it was not related to overall physical activity tracker use. An intervention response did, however, occur in a subset of participants. Specifically, exposure to the physical activity tracker was associated with an average daily increase in MVPA by more than 15 minutes (P=.01) among participants who reported being in the action and maintenance stages of behavior change in relation to participation in physical activity. Participants in the precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages of behavior change had no change in their level of MVPA (P=.81).ConclusionsThese results suggest that physical activity trackers may elicit improved physical activity related behavior in young adolescents demonstrating a readiness to be active. Future studies should seek to investigate if integrating physical activity trackers as part of more intensive interventions leads to greater increases in physical activity across different levels of stages of behavior change and if these changes can be sustained over longer periods of time.

The impact of motivational interviewing on behavior stages of nulliparous pregnant women preparing for childbirth: a randomized clinical trial

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) on the stages of behavior change among nulliparous pregnant women who were preparing for childbirth.Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 234 pregnant women were studied in two intervention groups (MI and lecture), and one control group at three stages. In weeks 16–19 of pregnancy, two counseling sessions were held for the MI group, and one lecturing session was held for the lecture group. In weeks 21 and 37 of pregnancy, the three groups were reevaluated.Results: At baseline, more than 70% of women were at pre-contemplation and contemplation stages. In week 21 of pregnancy, in MI 71% were at preparation stage, whereas in the lecture and control groups, 51.9% and 49.4% were at the contemplation stage, respectively. In week 37 of pregnancy, in MI, lecture and control groups, 90%, 59.7% and 27.3% were at the action stage, respectively (p < .001). The result of generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis using a Poisson model indicated that the incident rate for lecture group was 1.7 (95% CI: 1.2–2.5) times the incident rate for the MI group. Also, the incident rate for control group was 3.4 (95% CI: 2.2–5.0) times the incident rate for the MI group.Conclusions: Motivational interviewing was effective in guiding nulliparous mothers toward positive behavior stages.

Internal consistency and content validity of a questionnaire aimed to assess the stages of behavioral lifestyle changes in Colombian schoolchildren: The Fuprecol study

ABSTRACT Objective To assess internal consistency and content validity of a questionnaire aimed to assess the stages of Behavioural Lifestyle Changes in a sample of school-aged children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 years-old. Methods This validation study involved 675 schoolchildren from three official school in the city of Bogota, Colombia. A self-administered questionnaire called Behavioural Lifestyle Changes has been designed to explore stages of change regarding to physical activity/exercise, fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol abuse, tobacco use, and drug abuse. Cronbach-α, Kappa index and exploratory factor analysis were used for evaluating the internal consistency and validity of content, respectively. Results The study population consisted of 51.1% males and the participants’ average age was 12.7±2.4 years-old. Behavioural Lifestyle Changes scored 0.720 (range 0.691 to 0.730) on the Cronbach α and intra-observer reproducibility was good (Kappa=0.71). Exploratory factor analysis determined two factors (factor 1: physical activity/exercise, fruit and vegetable consumption, and factor 2: alcohol abuse tobacco use and drug abuse), explaining 67.78% of variance by the items and six interactions χ2/gL=11649.833; p&lt;0.001. Conclusion Behavioural Lifestyle Changes Questionnaire was seen to have suitable internal consistency and validity. This instrument can be recommended, mainly within the context of primary attention for studying the stages involved in the lifestyle behavioural changes model on a school-based population.

Interest, competence, appearance, fitness and social relatedness as motives for physical activity in Ugandan outpatients with psychosis

ObjectiveMotivating people with psychosis to meet recommended physical activity levels is a public health priority. It remains unclear whether physical activity motives differ between male and female patients, those with and without cardio-metabolic risks, those who exercise alone versus in group and in aerobic exercise versus resistance training. The aim of this study was to explore differences in PA motives related to several patient characteristics in Ugandan outpatients with psychosis. Methods48 patients (24♀; 33.3 ± 9.6 years) completed the Motives for Physical Activity Measure – Revised (MPAM-R), Patient-centred Assessment and Counselling for Exercise questionnaire, the Brief Symptoms Inventory - 18 (BSI -18), were asked for their physical activity participation in the last 7 days and screened for abdominal obesity, overweight, hypertension, smoking, medication use and the presence of chronic conditions. ResultsA multivariate analysis of variance demonstrated main effects for stages of physical activity behavior change (Wilks λ = 0.40, F = 2.98, P = 0.043) and gender (Wilks λ = 0.45, F = 3.45, P = 0.031). There were no interaction effects between stage of change and gender (Wilks λ = 0.35, F = 1.89, P = 0.089). Men scored higher on appearance (P = 0.046) and interest/enjoyment (P = 0.042). Higher (P < 0.05) MPAM-R were observed in action and maintenance behaviour stages versus pre-action stages but there were no differences between the action and maintenance stage. There were no significant correlates between MPAM-R and BSI-18 scores. ConclusionsExtrinsic (fitness, appearance, social benefits) and intrinsic (interest, competence) motives are equally important in adopting and maintaining physical activity in people with psychosis. Socio-cultural role patterns should be considered, also in Western settings (e.g., in refugees).

Keep Up The Good Work

Many agencies promote a healthy “lifestyle” but this comprehensive vision of wellness contrasts with interventions targeting specific health behaviors. However, initiation of a new health behavior could promote, consciously or unconsciously, the modification of a second health behavior. PURPOSE: To investigate if participation in an exercise program promotes spontaneous dietary modification. METHODS: Ninety-eight healthy, sedentary adults (53% female, aged 31.4±6.1 years; baseline BMI 25.0±3.9) were randomized to either 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training (n=44) - 4 days/week for 45 min at an intensity of 80~85% of maximal heart rate followed by 4 week deconditioning - or wait list control (n=54). A Food Frequency Questionnaire was administered at baseline and weeks 12 and 16, to derive caloric intake (Kcal), Alternate Mediterranean Diet Index (aMed), and Macronutrients (Protein, Fat, Carbohydrate) intake. Repeated measures tested treatment, session, and their interaction as predictors with diet measure (Kcal, aMed, Protein, Fat, or Carbohydrate) at Wk12 and Wk16 as the response variables. All models were adjusted for the baseline value of the response variable and were repeated adjusting for gender. RESULTS: Both the exercise (Ex) and the waitlist (WL) groups significantly decreased, from baseline to week 16, mean caloric intake (Ex: Δ=-232.43cal, p<.01; WL: Δ=-219.89kCal, p<.01), mean protein intake (Ex: Δ=-11.26g, p<.01; WL: Δ-9.42g, p<.01), mean fat intake (Ex: Δ=-7.42g, p=.04; WL: Δ=-8.29g, p<.01), and mean carb intake (Ex: Δ=-24.00g, p<.01; WL: Δ=-24.28g, p<.01). No significant change in aMed over time was found for either group (Ex: Δ=-.31, p=.24; WL: Δ=-.35, p=.05).There were no significant difference between the groups in any of the 5 diet measures (p>.65). CONCLUSIONS: Despite this intervention’s singular focus on aerobic training, both groups showed a marked reduction in KCal and Macronutrients. Sedentary participants willing to enroll in an exercise study may already be in the action stage of behavior change and may independently elect to change dietary behavior to improve overall wellness. Future studies should investigate what psychological triggers lead to a behavioral “spillover” and if the degree of engagement in the primary behavior could predict the magnitude of the “spillover”.

Prevalence and factors associated with stages of behavior change for physical activity in adolescents: a systematic review.

To analyze prevalence and factors associated with stages of behavior change for physical activity in adolescents. A search was performed in SciELO, PubMed, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus and LILACS. The search terms were "behavior change" OR "stages of change" OR "stages of readiness" OR "readiness to change" OR "transtheoretical model" OR "process to change" OR "decisional balance", and "motor activity" OR "physical activity" OR "physical exercise" and "adolescent" OR "students". After the eligibility criteria, 18 articles were selected. The highest prevalence of adolescents in the precontemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages was found in the Germany, South Korea, and Iran while there were more adolescents in the action and maintenance in South Korea and Brazil. The evidence of association indicated that females are more likely to be in precontemplation, contemplation and preparation. The evidence was inconclusive for age (in relation to the precontemplation, contemplation, action and maintenance stages), economic status (all stages), shift of study (when stratified by gender) and body composition (all stages). No association was found with parental level of education. The findings can help to guide interventions and further research on the topic of behavior changes for physical activity in adolescents.

Association of Trans-theoretical Model (TTM) based Exercise Behavior Change with Body Image Evaluation among Female Iranian Students

BackgroundBody image is a determinant of individual attractiveness and physical activity among the young people. This study was aimed to assess the association of Trans-theoretical model based exercise behavior change with body image evaluation among the female Iranian students.Materials and MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted in Sanandaj city, Iran in 2016. Using multistage sampling method, a total of 816 high school female students were included in the study. They completed a three-section questionnaire, including demographic information, Trans-theoretical model constructs and body image evaluation. The obtained data were fed into SPSS version 21.0. ResultsThe results showed more than 60% of participants were in the pre-contemplation and contemplation stages of exercise behavior. The means of perceived self-efficacy, barriers and benefits were found to have a statistically significant difference during the stages of exercise behavior change (P<0.05). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the stages of exercise behavior change and fitness evaluation, fitness orientation, subjective weight and body areas satisfaction subscales (P<0.05). The interaction effect of self-efficacy and body image on exercise behavior were reported to be statistically significant (P<0.05).ConclusionThe findings of this study indicated poor physical activity and effect of body image on doing exercise. Body image and designing interventions to promote exercise behavior are suggested to be taken into account.

Abstract C50: Applying the Stages of Change Model to breastfeeding in African-American women: A qualitative study

Abstract Background: Breastfeeding is the optimal form of infant nutrition, and has numerous health benefits for both infant and mother. One such maternal health benefit is decreased likelihood of breast cancer. Breastfeeding trends in the United States have improved in the past decade. However, racial disparities remain, with African-American women having the lowest breastfeeding rates among all racial/ethnic groups. Although breastfeeding trends in African-American women have also improved greatly, current rates do not meet Healthy People 2020 objectives. According to the CDC, African-American women are more likely to develop an aggressive form of breast cancer (triple negative) and also have a higher mortality rate from breast cancer. In addition, breast cancer has a tendency to onset at younger ages in African-American women. Thus, efforts to improve breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in this population can help alleviate breast cancer disparities. The Stages of Change model is one behavioral health theory useful in gauging readiness to adopt a preventive health behavior. There is a gap in the breastfeeding literature regarding the usefulness of this theory for breastfeeding in African-American women. The current research described here helps to fill that gap. Study Question: How can the Stages of Change model be used to increase motivation and readiness to initiate and sustain breastfeeding in African-American women? Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted of qualitative data from a dissertation exploring the long-term breastfeeding experiences of African-American women. In the first study, 3 focus group discussions were conducted with 23 WIC breastfeeding peer counselors (PCs) to better understand breastfeeding norms and behavior of the African-American women they serve. Focus groups were conducted at community health clinics and lasted approximately 90 minutes. In the second study, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 11 African-American mothers who were WIC participants (identified as positive deviants), who had breastfed one child for at least 6 months, and the breastfed child was younger than 2 years old. Interviews were conducted in participant homes or public settings (ie. library, café) and lasted approximately 60 minutes. Both focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded and conversations were transcribed. Data was coded by two researchers and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. The Stages of Change model was used as a guide in the secondary data analysis. Results: WIC PC's and interview participants described historical and socio-cultural complexities influencing African-American women's breastfeeding behaviors. Four themes developed across both studies about African-American women's motivation and readiness to breastfeed using the Stages of Change model and strategies useful to encourage breastfeeding at each stage of behavioral change. 1) Pre-contemplation Stage: Increasing Breastfeeding Awareness (preconception and pregnancy); 2) Contemplation &amp; Preparation Stages: Breastfeeding Decision-Making (pregnancy and childbirth); 3) Action Stage: Initial Breastfeeding Triumphs and Trials (childbirth and early postpartum period); 4) Maintenance Stage: Committing to Long-term Breastfeeding (extended postpartum period). Conclusions: Findings indicate opportunities to enhance breastfeeding education and strengthen breastfeeding support for African-American women at each stage of behavioral change. Lessons learned can be used in designing culturally-tailored breastfeeding interventions for African-American women and also a survey tool to assess women's readiness to breastfeed. Healthcare providers and researchers should be aware of the unique historical and socio-cultural complexities influencing African-American women's breastfeeding behaviors when developing interventions. By improving breastfeeding in African-American women, aggressive breast cancer in may be prevented. Citation Format: Tyra Gross. Applying the Stages of Change Model to breastfeeding in African-American women: A qualitative study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Ninth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2016 Sep 25-28; Fort Lauderdale, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2017;26(2 Suppl):Abstract nr C50.

Osteoporosis Liaison Service and nutrition counseling and education.

Nutritional counseling as part of the Osteoporosis Liaison Service(OLS)should provide active nutritional counseling and lifestyle guidance by referring to the detailed methods for conducting "nutritional status assessments", an item of OLS-7, a detailed activity outcome measure of the OLS. After conducting adequate nutritional assessments, the goals for each stage of behavior change should be established, aiming to set roughly one goal for a specified period of time and increasing the goals once improvements have been made. Incorporating feedback in the next improvement plan becomes very important. Good nutritional counseling will surely lead to achieving the OLS goals(improvement in treatment rates and treatment continuation rates). Moreover, it will contribute to decreasing the number of patients with fractures, eliminating sequential fractures and prolonging a healthy life expectancy in Japan.

A randomized-controlled trial focusing on socio-economic status for promoting vegetable intake among adults using a web-based nutrition intervention programme: study protocol

BackgroundWeb-based nutritional education programmes appear to be comparable to those delivered face-to-face. However, no existing web-based nutrition education or similar programme has yet been evaluated with consideration of socio-economic status. The objective of a nutritional education programme of promoting vegetable intake designed a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the results of intervention and to determine how socio-economic status influences the programme effects.Methods/DesignParticipants will be randomly sampled individuals (aged 30–59) stratified according national population statistics for sex, age, and household income. Participants were consented to survey participation (n = 1500), and will be randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention period is 5 weeks with one step of diet-related education per week. The main outcome of the programme is dietary behaviour as eating vegetable (350 g per day, five small bowl). To encourage behavioural changes, the programme contents are prepared using behavioural theories and techniques tailored to the assumed group stages of behavioural change. In the first step, we employ the health belief model to encourage a shift from the pre-contemplative to the contemplative phase; in the second and third steps, social cognitive theory is used to encourage transition to the preparatory phase; in the fourth step, social cognitive theory and strengthening social support are used to promote progression to the execution phase; finally, in the fifth step, strengthening social capital and social support are used to promote the shift to the maintenance phase. The baseline, post intervention and follow-up survey was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. For process evaluation, we use five items relating to programme participation and satisfaction. A follow-up survey of participants will be carried out 3 months after intervention completion.DiscussionThe fact that this study is an RCT with an established control group is a strong advantage. Information and communications technology is not limited by time or place. If we could show this web-based nutrition education programmes has a positive effect, it may be an appropriate tool for reaching individuals in lower socio-economic state.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials UMIN-ICDR UMIN 000019376 (Registered October 16, 2015).

Converged Influencing Factors on the Stages of Exercise Behavior Change of Nurses in Shift Work Using Transtheoretical Model

Converged Influencing Factors on the Stages of Exercise Behavior Change of Nurses in Shift Work Using Transtheoretical Model

Study of the characteristics of dietary behavior and the effects of nutrition education for sodium reduction according to the stages of behavioral change in sodium reduction of male adult subjects in Gwangju·Jeonnam regions

Study of the characteristics of dietary behavior and the effects of nutrition education for sodium reduction according to the stages of behavioral change in sodium reduction of male adult subjects in Gwangju·Jeonnam regions

운동 지속실천자의 운동행동 변화단계 체험

This study explored the perceptions and specific behaviors of habitual exercisers who experienced the entire stages of exercise behavior change. Six habitual exercisers who were in the maintenance stage provided information on how they experienced through the entire stages of exercise behavior change. Qualitative data collection strategies such as participant observation and focus group interviews were employed. Most of the participants had positive attitude toward physical activity when they were in their pre-contemplation and contemplation stages. Accordingly, the positive attitude had indirect influences on joining their sports(basketball). Overall, friends and colleagues were major motivators to make them adopt physically active lifestyle. In preparation stage, participants experienced positive and negative effects of group dynamics. While supportive group environment had positive influences on continued participation, bland environment had negative consequences. For those in their preparation stage, it is recommended that efforts should be made to promote enriched group environment. Action and maintenance stages were characterized by improved physical fitness and skill levels. In addition, the participants were more interested in self-related factors and were more stable in terms of social impacts. It was found that the participants in their action and maintenance stages were able to change negative events to positive ones and reinforce themselves intrinsically. The participants reported that positive and adaptive mental processes that they experienced in the action and maintenance stages played significant roles in their job situations and active lifestyles. These findings support the concept of stages of behavior change and help understand how exercisers perceive and behave in each stage of exercise behavior change.

Does knowledge of physical activity recommendations increase physical activity among Chinese college students? Empirical investigations based on the transtheoretical model

BackgroundBased on the transtheoretical model, the current study investigated whether awareness of physical activity (PA) recommendations had an impact on the stages of PA behavior change and levels of PA among Chinese college students. MethodsIn Study 1, with a cross-sectional study design, 9826 students were recruited, and their knowledge of international PA recommendations, PA stage distribution, and self-reported PA level were surveyed. Pearson's χ2 test was used to test whether those participants who were aware and not aware of PA guidelines were equally distributed across the stages of PA behavior, and independent t test was conducted to test the group difference in the actual levels of PA. In Study 2, 279 students who were not aware of the PA recommendations were randomly allocated to either an intervention group or a control group, and only those in the intervention group were presented with international PA guidelines. In both groups, students' PA stages and PA level were examined before the test and then 4 months post-test. McNemar's test for correlated proportions and repeated-measures analysis of variance were conducted to examine the changes in PA stage membership and PA level after the intervention. ResultsStudy 1 results revealed that only 4.4% of the surveyed students had correct knowledge of PA recommendations. Those who were aware of the recommendations were in later stages of PA behavior (χ2(4) = 167.19, p < 0.001). They were also significantly more physically active than those who were not aware of the recommendations (t(443.71) = 9.00, p < 0.001, Cohen's d = 0.53). Study 2 results demonstrated that the intervention group participants who were at the precontemplation and contemplation stages at the pre-test each progressed further in the PA stages in the post-test (χ2(1) = 112.06, p < 0.001; χ2(1) = 118.76, p = 0.03, respectively), although no significant change in PA level was observed (t(139) < 1, p = 0.89). ConclusionThe results showed that awareness of the PA recommendations was associated with higher stages and levels of PA behavior, and a brief educational exposure to PA recommendations led to improved stages of PA behavior but no change in the levels of PA among Chinese college students. More effective public health campaign strategies are needed to promote the dissemination of the PA recommendations and to raise the awareness of the Chinese student population.

Stages of Behavior Change for physical activity and associated factors among technicaladministrative servers of a federal university

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2016v18n4p471 The benefits that the regular practice of physical activity (PA) provides to health and its importance in preventing and fighting chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to identify the Stages of Behavior Change (SBC) for PA among technicaladministrative servers and its association with sociodemographic and health risk factors. This cross-sectional study investigated 622 technical-administrative servers (337 women) from a Brazilian federal university. SBC for PA, sociodemographic information (gender, age, marital status and educational level) and health risk factors (inadequate eating habits, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, commuting and PA at work) were collected through questionnaires. Multinomial regression with adjustment for the hierarchical level was applied and significance level of 5% was adopted. The distribution of technical-administrative servers in SBC for PA identified prevalence of 9.1% and 6.5% in the pre-contemplation stage, 24.6% and 33.5% in contemplation, 33.3% and 22 6% in preparation, 5.6% and 12.2% in action and 27.4% and 25.2% in maintenance stages between men and women, respectively. Lower odds ratio of being in the preparation stage was identified among women (OR=0.62; CI95%=0.41; 0.93) while those with inadequate eating habits were more odds to be in the “pre-contemplation + contemplation” (OR=2.77; CI95%=1.85; 4.15) and preparation stages (OR=1.75; CI95%=1.12; 2.70). Over 60% of technical-administrative servers are insufficiently active (pre-contemplation, contemplation and preparation stages) and factors associated with SBC were female sex and inadequate eating habits.

Stages of Behavioral Change for Physical Activity in High School Students: Prevalence and Associated Sociodemographic Factors.

The aim was to estimate the prevalence of stages of change for physical activity and associated sociodemographic factors in students. The sample consisted of 942 students (44.7% males, 55.3% females; mean age = 16.1 years, SD = 1.1) in southern Brazil. Self-administered questionnaire was applied to identify stages of behavioral change for physical activity and sociodemographic variables (gender, age, maternal schooling, economic status, and school shift). Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (95%). Results showed that 9.6% were in the pre-contemplation stage, 18.4% in the contemplation, 17.6% in the preparation, 14.3% in the action, and 39.6% in the maintenance stages. Girls and adolescents with lower economic status were more likely to be at stages of behavioral risk. Students whose mothers had high education were more likely to be in the action stage.