title: A descriptive study of how clients make life-style changes.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify and describe how adults with diabetes in a weight control study attempted to make life-style behavioral changes. All subjects had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and were 20% to 50% overweight. Data were drawn from narrative responses given by 28 clients to open-ended questions regarding behavioral change. Questions were asked as part of a 16-week life-style behavioral change program for weight control. A systematic analysis of content was used to generate six categories of responses depicting the life-style behavioral change process. The process, as described by these clients, is: Starting point; Introspection; Why change; Mental preparation; Plans, progress, and continuation; and Helps and hindrances.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Wierenga
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Browning
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Mahn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000523:psychology; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009765:Obesity; D011593:Psychology, Social; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain; D015431:Weight Loss