RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Obesity Management In Primary Care: Assessment of Readiness to Change Among 284 Family Practice Patients
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 164
OP 171
DO 10.3122/15572625-13-3-164
VO 13
IS 3
A1 Logue, Everett
A1 Sutton, Karen
A1 Jarjoura, David
A1 Smucker, William
YR 2000
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/13/3/164.abstract
AB Background: Most adults in primary care are overweight or obese; two thirds of patients with weight problems have other obesity-related conditions. The study objective was to explore the feasibility of a primary care obesity intervention based on the transtheoretical model (TM) of behavior change and principles of chronic disease (CD) care. Methods: A prospective study of the initial version of the TM-CD intervention with obese family practice patients (n = 284) yielded cross-sectional data on baseline stage of change for six target behaviors: dietary fat, portion control, vegetable intake, fruit intake, usual physical activity, and planned exercise. The sample consisted of obese patients scheduled for an office visit during times when recruitment and informed consent did not conflict with acute care. Results: Obese patients volunteering for a TM-CD program are in different stages of change for six target behaviors. Preparation was the most frequently reported stage for increased exercise (49%) or activity (34%), decreased dietary fat consumption (44%), and increased portion control (51%). Patients in a particular stage for one behavior were distributed across all five stages for another behavior. Stage of change for five target behaviors was associated with body mass index or waist girth (P < .05) in a manner consistent with stage-of-change theory. Conclusions: Using the transtheoretical model of behavior change will allow physicians to recognize when obese patients are receptive to specific behavioral interventions.