Title
From weight management goals to action planning: Identification of a logical sequence from goals to actions and underlying determinants
Author
van Genugten, L.
van Empelen, P.
Oenema, A.
Publication year
2012
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Weight gain prevention (WGP) among adults who are overweight is an important target in the prevention of obesity. However, little is known about the process from WGP as a goal to successful weight-management. The present study aimed to: (i) gain more insight into this process; (ii) identify cognitive predictors of intention for WGP; and (iii) examine WGP as a potential predictor for the intention to change weight-related behaviours [dietary intake (DI) and physical activity (PA)] and specific action planning. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, overweight adults [n = 510; body mass index 25-30 kg m(-2); mean (SD) age 48 (9.5) years; 30.8% male] completed an online questionnaire, assessing goal intention for WGP, behavioural intention for DI and PA, planning for change in DI and PA and socio-cognitive correlates. Ordinal regression analyses were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: In 89% of the sample, (parts of) the proposed sequence from goal intention (for WGP), behavioural intention (for DI/PA) and planning (for DI/PA) was observed. Attitude, social norm and perceived control towards WGP, and perceived weight status and risk perception, were associated with intention for WGP. Behaviour-specific perceived control and preferences were more strongly associated with intention to change DI or PA and planning for change than intention for WGP was. CONCLUSIONS: Intention for WGP is important in the process toward weight-management because, for most people, intention for WGP precedes behavioural intention, which precedes planning. Intention for WGP is associated with behavioural intention but behaviour-specific factors are the strongest correlates of behavioural intention and planning.
Subject
Human
LS - Life Style
BSS - Behavioural and Societal Sciences
Healthy for Life
Health
Healthy Living
health education
nutrition
obesity
physical activity
prevention
To reference this document use:
http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:dc598c80-cdea-435b-872f-295c3863ae32
TNO identifier
465872
Source
Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 25, 354-364
Document type
article