Stage of change for healthful eating and use of behavioral strategies.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the distribution of behavioral strategy use across stage of change for healthful eating, and to determine if baseline stage predicts change in use of strategies over 1 year in the absence of intervention.


METHODS
Cross-sectional assessment and 1-year follow-up with no intervention.


METHODS
Adult men and women in two rural Midwest communities.


METHODS
Multiple regression, with tests for group difference and trend, controlling for age and sex.


RESULTS
Use of behavioral strategies as measured by six scales (self-monitoring, planning, preparation and buying, portion control, social interactions, and cognitive strategies) followed a clear linear trend across stages of change for healthful eating. Strategy use was more strongly related to stage than energy intake, fat intake, and fruit and vegetable servings as measured via food frequency questionnaire. Baseline stage of change showed some relationship to change in strategy use over time, although most group differences were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of a range of behavioral strategies is strongly related to stage of change for healthful eating, and more closely associated with stage than dietary intake. In the absence of intervention, baseline stage only weakly predicted changes in strategy use. Programs with the goal of encouraging a range of healthful eating behaviors may find these measures of strategy use to be helpful in defining stage of change, and possibly in tracking behavior change over time.
Nothwehr
Faryle
F
Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr, E235 GH, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA. faryle-nothwehr@uiowa.edu
Snetselaar
Linda
L
Yang
Jingzhen
J
Wu
Haotong
H
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007484:Iowa; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012423:Rural Health; D012927:Social Control, Informal; D014675:Vegetables
D004041:Dietary Fats