title: Lifestyle intervention - a study on maintenance in general practice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to explore the factors contributing to sustained or nonsustained behaviour change following a lifestyle intervention in general practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty patients who had participated in a general practice health check and group lifestyle support program were interviewed by telephone after 12 months. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients reported positive effects of the intervention on their behaviour change, especially the group peer support. However, their maintenance of these changes varied. Factors that contributed to sustained behaviour change included social support and self efficacy. Factors contributing to relapse included competing demands on time, comorbidity and stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Greater attention needs to be given to maintenance of behaviour change in lifestyle management programs. Following completion of the program, there needs to be greater support for relapse prevention and management and effective integration back into general practice.
authors: Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales. z3222582@zmail.unsw.edu.au
authors: Roshan
authors: R
authors: Dhanapalaratnam
authors: Mahnaz
authors: M
authors: Fanaian
authors: Mark F
authors: MF
authors: Harris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult