Correlates of motivation to prevent weight gain: a cross sectional survey

Abstract

Background: This study is an application of the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) with additional variables to predict the motivations to prevent weight gain. In addition, variations in measures across individuals classified into Precaution Adoption Process stages (PAPM-stages) of behaviour change were investigated.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Obesity among Mexican Adults

“…That is, there may be cultural norms that contribute to people of low socioeconomic position perceiving their obesity status as healthy or perhaps a sign of success. This last issue is important because the perception of health risks has been associated with increased probability of trying to lose weight [30] and with actions to prevent weight gain [31]. Also, people of lower socioeconomic position have more obstacles to implement weight management treatment because healthy diets and recreational physical activities tend to be more expensive than energy-dense diets and sedentary activities [29,32,33].…”

Intentions to Prevent Weight Gain in Older and Younger Adults; The Importance of Perceived Health and Appearance Consequences

“…Weight intentions and perceptions: As in the study by Wammes et al [15], participants were told that prevention of weight gain should be understood as behaviours such as healthy eating habits and physical activity (e.g. reducing the amount of calories of food in meals and snacks, and activities to increase amount of physical activity), specifically to avoid gaining weight.…”

“…If fully validated assessment tools were not available, constructs were assessed with measures that had been used in previously published research, and where more than one item was used to measure a construct, inter-item consistency was checked using Cronbach's alpha [20]. Alpha > 0.5 was regarded as an acceptable cut-off point as has previously been argued in similar cross-sectional studies exploring the predictors of intentions [15]. When constructs met the criteria for internal consistency, the mean item score was computed for analysis.…”

“…with response options ‘yes' and ‘no'. Single item self-report measures are a valid way to measure behavioural intentions [21] and similar measures have been used in other studies of weight gain prevention [15]. A measure of weight perception asked participants to describe their own body weight by selecting one of the following: ‘very underweight', ‘slightly underweight', ‘about right', ‘slightly overweight', ‘overweight' and ‘obese' [22].…”

“…Although both younger (aged 18-30 years) and older adults (aged >40 years) are at risk of weight gain [8,11,12,13], studies have predominantly focused on young adults [14,15] with less attention given to older people. One cross-sectional study investigated associations of intention to prevent weight gain in a population of young Dutch adults (n = 979) [15]. Results indicated that as participants got older they had greater intentions to prevent weight gain, but the age range of the sample was narrow (25-35 years).…”