title: Stage of change as a predictor of success in weight control in adult women.
abstract: Weight change over 3 years was examined in a large and heterogeneous sample of women as a function of stage of change for weight control. Women were classified into Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, and Action stages on the basis of reports of current and past weight control behaviors and future intentions. Stage of change did not predict success in weight control. Mean weight changes over 3 years were 1.1 kg, 1.0 kg, 2.1 kg, and 2.3 kg for Precontemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, and Action stages, respectively. The findings call into question the generality of the stages-of-change classification system across behavioral domains.
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 55454-1015, USA. jeffery@epi.umn.edu
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Jeffery
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rothman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011582:Psychological Theory