Stages of change for weight management in postpartum women.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined factors related to stages of change for weight-management behaviors in postpartum women.


METHODS
Cross-sectional data, collected at baseline, are reported from the Mothers' Overweight Management Study (MOMS), a randomized, controlled trial conducted in postpartum women who participated in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).Subjects/Setting Subjects were a sample of WIC recipients (N=151) older than 18 years of age with a child younger than 2 years. Statistical analysis The dependent variables were the stages of change for weight-management behaviors (losing weight, avoiding high-fat foods, eating a high-fiber diet, and exercising). Demographic, health, and psychosocial variables were examined as independent variables. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare means, and chi(2) was used for proportions.


RESULTS
Whereas 55% of women were in the action stage for weight loss, fewer women were in the action stage for the following weight management behaviors: avoiding high-fat foods (24%), increasing fiber (19%), and exercising three times per week (29%). Identifying pros for weight management was related to stages for losing weight, high-fat food avoidance, and exercise (F=13.4, P<.001; F=10.5, P<.001; F=3.7, P<.007, respectively). Self-efficacy for choosing a low-fat restaurant meal or using food labels was positively related to later stages for avoiding high-fat foods and increasing fiber intake (chi(2)=16.4, P=.003; chi(2)=11.7, P=.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Emphasizing the pros for weight-management behaviors, decreasing the cons for exercising, increasing confidence to select low-fat restaurant choices, and improving skills for using food labels are four strategies that nutrition professionals can use to help women become more ready to change behaviors for weight management.
Krummel
Debra A
DA
Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, USA. dkrummel@hsc.wvu.edu
Semmens
Elizabeth
E
Boury
Janis
J
Gordon
Paul M
PM
Larkin
Kevin T
KT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004046:Dietetics / Q000379:methods; D002149:Energy Intake; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005515:Food Labeling; D005522:Food Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011181:Postnatal Care; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D012147:Restaurants; D020377:Self Efficacy; D015430:Weight Gain
D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber