[Physical activity and the stages of change: application of the Trans Theoretical Model]

ABSTRACT

The Trans theoretical Model is a behavior change model that incorporates the stages of change in physical activity behavior. The aim of this study was to determine these stages in adults living in Bandar Abbas, Iran. This was a cross sectional study. Using cluster random sampling, 1600 subjects, aged 15 years and over, were studied from April to May 2007 in Bandar Abbas, Iran. To describe different levels of behavior change, we used The Physical Activity Staging questionnaire and collected data on five stages of physical activity change, including pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, readiness and maintenance. In all, 1600 individuals with a mean age of 40.1 +/- 15.2 were studied. Among these, 724 [49.4] were men. A total of 959 individuals [59.9%] were at pre-contemplation stage and 1.3%, 3.2%, 0.5% and 35.1% were at stages of contemplation, readiness, action, and maintenance respectively. There were statistically significant differences between stages of change with regard to gender, age, and education [P < 0.001]. This study revealed the majority of participants were in pre-contemplation and contemplation stages. These findings should be considered in future studies