A study of the precontemplation stage of change for weight control using self-efficacy

Abstract

Objective: To compare the characteristics of people classified into a high-self-efficacy-precontemplation stage of change for weight control with those in other stages.
Methods: A self-reported cross-sectional questionnaire, which is addressing the stage of change for weight control, self-efficacy, perceptions of current weight, and demographic characteristics, was administered to 994 employees in July 2008. Those in the precontemplation stage were divided into two groups using their median scores for self-efficacy, yielding high-self-efficacy and low-self-efficacy groups. The scores for self-efficacy, lifestyle, and demographic characteristics were compared according to the stage using the Kruskal-Wallis or x² test by sex. Bonferroni's multiple comparisons were conducted with high-self-efficacy-precontemplation stage as a reference.
Results: Men in the high-self-efficacy-precontemplation stage had a lower body mass index (BMI) than people in other stages (p<0.01), those who did not eat snacks were more likely than those who did to be placed into the low-self-efficacy-precontemplation stage and the contemplation stage (p=0.003), and a higher percentage of those who did not eat 2hours before bedtime than people classified into the contemplation stage (p=0.009). Women in the high-self-efficacy-precontemplation stage had a lower BMI than people classified in the preparation stage (p=0.002).
Conclusion: These results suggest that individuals in the high-self-efficacy-precontemplation stage differ from those placed in the precontemplation stage in defined in the transtheoretical model. Men in the high-self-efficacy-precontemplation stage had a lower BMI and were appropriate eating habits for weight control.