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Title: ARE CURRENT HEALTH BEHAVIOR CHANGE MODELS HELPFUL IN GUIDING PREVENTION OF WEIGHT GAIN EFFORTS?

Author
item Baranowski, Thomas
item Cullen, Karen
item Nicklas, Theresa
item THOMPSON, DEBORAH - BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MED
item Baranowski, Janice

Submitted to: Obesity Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/1/2003
Publication Date: 10/1/2003
Citation: Baranowski,T. 2003. Are Current Health Behavioral Change Models Helpful in Guiding Prevention of Weight Gain Efforts? Obesity Research. 11(Supplement):23S-43S.

Interpretive Summary: Effective procedures are needed to prevent the substantial increases in adiposity that have been occurring among children and adults. Behavior change occurs as a result of changes in variables that mediate interventions. These mediating variables have typically come from the theories or models for understanding behavior. Seven categories of theories and models were reviewed to define the concepts, and identify the motivational mechanism(s), the resources a person needs for change, the processes by which behavior change is likely to occur; and the procedures necessary to promote change. While each model has something to offer obesity prevention, the early promise can be achieved only with substantial additional research applying these models to diet and physical activity in regard to obesity. The most promising avenues for such research appear to be using the latest variants of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Ecology. Synergy may be achieved by the most promising concepts from each model and integrating them for use with specific populations. Biologically based steps in an eating or physical activity event were identified and research issues suggested to integrate behavioral and biological approaches to understang eating and physical activity behaviors. Social marketing procedures have much to offer in terms of organizing and strategizing change programs to incorporate these theoretical ideas. More research is needed to assess the true potential for these models to contribute to our understanding of obesity related diet and physical activity practice, and in turn to obesity prevention.

Technical Abstract: Effective procedures are needed to prevent the substantial increases in adiposity that have been occurring among children and adults. Behavior change occurs as a result of changes in variables that mediate interventions. These mediating variables have typically come from the theories or models for understanding behavior. Seven categories of theories and models were reviewed to define the concepts, and identify the motivational mechanism(s), the resources a person needs for change, the processes by which behavior change is likely to occur; and the procedures necessary to promote change. While each model has something to offer obesity prevention, the early promise can be achieved only with substantial additional research applying these models to diet and physical activity in regard to obesity. The most promising avenues for such research appear to be using the latest variants of the Theory of Planned Behavior and Social Ecology. Synergy may be achieved by the most promising concepts from each model and integrating them for use with specific populations. Biologically based steps in an eating or physical activity event were identified and research issues suggested to integrate behavioral and biological approaches to understang eating and physical activity behaviors. Social marketing procedures have much to offer in terms of organizing and strategizing change programs to incorporate these theoretical ideas. More research is needed to assess the true potential for these models to contribute to our understanding of obesity related diet and physical activity practice, and in turn to obesity prevention.