The Transtheoretical Model and obesity: A bibliometric study

Development of tailored nutrition information messages based on the transtheoretical model for smartphone application of an obesity prevention and management program for elementary-school students

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Easy access to intervention and support for certain behaviors is important for obesity prevention and management. The available technology such as smartphone applications can be used for intervention regarding healthy food choices for obesity prevention and management in elementary-school students. The transtheoretical model (TTM) is comprised of stages and processes of change and can be adopted to tailored education for behavioral change. This study aims to develop TTM-based nutrition contents for mobile applications intended to change eating behaviors related to weight gain in young children.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

A synthesized algorithm for tailored nutrition messages was developed according to the intake status of six food groups (vegetables, fruits, sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food and instant food, snacks, and late-night snacks), decision to make dietary behavioral changes, and self-confidence in dietary behavioral changes. The messages in this study were developed from December 2014 to April 2015. After the validity evaluation of the contents through expert consultation, tailored nutrition information messages and educational contents were developed based on the TTM.

RESULTS

Based on the TTM, stages of subjects are determined by their current intake status, decision to make dietary behavioral changes, and self-confidence in dietary behavioral changes. Three versions of tailored nutrition messages at each TTM stage were developed so as to not send the same messages for three weeks at most, and visual materials such as figures and tables were developed to provide additional nutritional information. Finally, 3,276 tailored nutrition messages and 60 nutrition contents for applications were developed.

CONCLUSIONS

Smartphone applications may be an innovative medium to deliver interventions for eating behavior changes directly to individuals with favorable cost-effectiveness. In addition, using the TTM for tailored nutrition education for healthy eating is an effective approach.

Latent class analysis of stages of change for multiple health behaviors: results from the Special Diabetes Program for Indians Diabetes Prevention Program

This study sought to identify latent subgroups among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients with pre-diabetes based on their stages of change for multiple health behaviors. We analyzed baseline data from participants of the Special Diabetes Program for Indians Diabetes Prevention (SDPI-DP) Program, a lifestyle intervention program to prevent diabetes among AI/ANs. A total of 3,135 participants completed baseline questionnaires assessing stages of change for multiple health behaviors, specifically exercise, healthy eating, and weight loss. Latent class analysis was used to identify subgroups of people based on their answers to stages of change questions. Covariates were added to the latent class analyses to investigate how class membership was related to sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors. Three classes were identified based on the distributions of the stages of change variables: Contemplation, Preparation, and Action/Maintenance classes. Male and retired participants were more likely to be in more advanced stages. Those who exercised more, ate healthier diets, and weighed less were significantly more likely to be in the Action/Maintenance class. Further, the participants who had higher self-efficacy, stronger family support, and better health-related quality of life had higher odds of being in the Action/Maintenance class. In conclusion, we found that stages of change for multiple behaviors can be summarized by a three-class model in this sample. Investigating the relationships between latent classes and intervention outcomes represents important next steps to extend the findings of the current study.

Stage of change and other predictors of participant retention in a behavioral weight management program in primary care

High attrition often limits the efficacy of weight management programs, particularly those that serve primary care patients. We investigated stage of change and other predictors of retention in a behavioral intervention program that enrolled adult obese patients at three primary care sites. The program included practice improvements and provider training, as well as individual lifestyle counseling and educational group classes for participants. We analyzed predictors of whether participants returned for counseling visits and whether they attended group classes. The 461 participants were mainly women (84%) and minorities (87%), and most of them were in the preparation stage for dietary and physical activity changes. A total of 134 (29%) participants returned for at least one follow-up visit with their counselor and 85 (18%) attended at least one class. Baseline stage of change was not significantly associated with either return visits or class attendance (p = .875 and .182, respectively). Men and participants with children in the household were less likely to return for subsequent counseling sessions (p = .012 and .027, respectively). Age and employment were associated with class attendance (p = .099 and .034, respectively). Focus groups with participants confirmed that reasons for dropout included physical limitations or health issues, family issues, stress, and lack of social support. We conclude that prescreening of patients for readiness to participate and attention to personal barriers related to family and work might improve program retention. More frequent contacts between visits and stronger provider engagement might also strengthen the intervention.

Establishing the stages and processes of change for weight loss by consensus of experts

The present study aimed to establish, by a consensus of experts, the stages and processes of change for weight management in overweight and obese people. The first step involved developing two questionnaires aimed at assessing stages and processes of change for weight loss in overweight and obese people. The processes-of-change questionnaire consisted of 12 subscales, and contained 107 items. A three-round Delphi study was carried out through a website, where participants were asked to give their opinion about the representativeness and clarity of the scale items. The stages-of-change questionnaire consisted of five items and was presented in the final round of the study. A team of 66 experts in the obesity field from 29 countries participated in the study. They were selected either because they belonged to the organizing committee of international associations related to obesity, or because of their research career. The required changes in the questionnaire were made according to the opinions of the participants. Some of these were the result of the group statistical response, whereas others were due to the suggestions made by the participants. A final version of the questionnaire consisting of 63 items was eventually obtained. The present study produced two questionnaires to assess stages and processes of change for weight management. The strength of the study lies in the consensus reached by the panel of experts in order to establish the required content of the questionnaires. The two measures provide useful tools for practitioners who wish to tailor weight-management interventions according to transtheoretical model constructs.