Background: Decreasing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption may reduce obesity and obesity-related diseases. To better understand what processes could facilitate a reduction in sugary beverage intake, we examined the relationship between stage-of-change and use of 10 processes of change. Secondarily, reliability of the measure was assessed.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a newly developed stage-of-change and process of change questionnaire. Participants (n = 105; male, n = 28) were aged between 18 and 60 years. A one-way analysis of variance, with Tukey's and Benjamini-Hochberg post hoc tests, was used to compare process use by stages. Paired t-tests were used to compare total cognitive and total behavioural process use within each stage. Cronbach's α coefficient and mean inter-item correlation was used to assess internal consistency. Reliability of repeated items was examined using kappa.
Results: Cognitive and behavioural processes were used more in the contemplation/preparation and maintenance stages than in precontemplation (all P < 0.05). Compared to precontemplation, process use was significantly higher in contemplation/preparation for five individual processes, action for four processes and maintenance for five processes. The use of dramatic relief and self liberation was lower in maintenance than contemplation/preparation. Across the stages, the use of eight of the 10 processes differed. The use of consciousness raising, self re-evaluation and self liberation differed between stages more frequently than other processes.
Conclusions: The use of many processes differed by stage and could be incorporated into programmes aiming to assist adults in reducing their consumption of sugary drinks.
Keywords: behaviour change; process of change; stage of change; sugar-sweetened beverages; transtheoretical model.
© 2018 The British Dietetic Association Ltd.