Psychosocial and Behavioral Predictors for Prevention of Obesity Among Adolescents: A Transtheoretical Model Perspective

Abstract

To predict demographic, psychosocial, and behavioral variables specific to each stage by determining the stages of change of dietary behaviors of adolescents within the framework of Transtheoretical Model (TTM) and thus to guide for interventions make adolescents ready f or next stage of change. A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used in the study. The students aged between 10-12 and selected indicators. Separate multivariate logistic regression models were created to determine the readiness of adolescents to make changes in dietary behaviors. Of the adolescences, 89.5% were in the Preparation, Action and Maintenance stages. In the Contemplation stage, f ather education and mother Body Mass Index (BMI); In Preparation, mother BMI, dietary knowledge and dietary self-efficacy; In Action, adolescent BMI, dietary knowledge and stress management were able to predict the later stage of promoting behavior change. In the Maintenance stage the sex, adolescent BMI, dietary knowledge, dietary behavior, dietary self-efficacy, stress management and social support were able to predict the maintenance of promoting health. TTM was useful to evaluate and predict health behaviors of adolescents. Except for exercise behavior, all of the determinants predicted the later stage for promoting behaviors. Female adolescents were more likely to be ready to make changes.