Stage of Change in Calorie Balance Intake: Decisional Balance and Self- Efficacy Effective in Obese and Overweight Women

The effectiveness of the Transtheoretical model for changing nutritional behavior has been questioned by some studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-efficacy and decisional equilibrium and transfer among the stages of behavior change of a calorie balance intake among obese women inYasuj, Iran. The data of the present descriptive analytical study were baseline data of 447 obese or overweight who were selected using the random cluster method. Based on the Transtheoretical model, individuals pass stages of change, which are precontemplation, contemplation, preparedness, action and maintenance. Two other main constructs which affect the stages of behavior change are self-efficacy and decisional balance. Demographic and anthropometric variables and stages of change, self-efficacy, decisional equilibrium pros and cons related to calorie balance intake were measured using valid and reliable questionnaires. The participants average age was 33.49 years. Neither demographic nor anthropometric variables changes were significant among the stages of behavior change except literacy level before high school (P=.047,OR=.502, %95 CI=.255 ~. 990). A significant change was observed in self-efficacy (F(4.425)= 27.09, P=. 000),decisional equilibrium (F(4.394), P=. 004), and pros (F(4.430)=5.33, P=000), while no significant change was observed among cons (F 4.400)=1.83, P=.123). The findings confirmed the specific model of self-efficacy, decisional equilibrium and pros which predict that the obese women transfer between the five stages of calorie balance intake.