Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship of health factors and diet by each stage of transtheoretical model (TTM) of health behavior change among urban residents in the meridian of life and to consider the future direction of lifestyle-related disease prevention.
Method: We conducted a self-completed questionnaire survey by mail in A city among general citizens aged 40-64 years. Data were collected on demographic characteristics, stage of TTM, health factors and diet.
Results: We received 569 completed questionnaires (response rate 19.0%, valid response rate 97.1%). Average age was 56.6 ± 7.0 years old. Percentage of females was 60.6%. Percentage of each stage of TTM was Preparation stage 31.1%, Precontemplation stage 26.5%, Maintenance stage 17.6% and Action stage 9.8%. Significantly related factors to stage of TTM were age, abdominal girth, Body Mass Index (BMI), sense of well-being, healthy life-style behavior, support to diet and ecology of eating. People in the Contemplation and Preparation stage had higher BMI than people in other stages, people in the Maintenance stage had a significantly higher score of ecology of eating than people in Precontemplation, Contemplation and Preparation stage.
Discussion: These results suggested that nurses' support appropriate for characteristics of health factors and diet by each stage of TTM is needed for modifying health behavior. Because people in both Contemplation and Preparation stage have a substantial need for assistance in health factors and diet, it is specifically essential for nurses and targets and to improve healthy life-style behavior, support to diet and ecology of eating.
