Application of Transtheoretical Model to Exercise Behavior with High Body Mass Index in Adolescents

[[abstract]]Application of Transtheoretical Model to Exercise Behavior with High Body Mass Index in Adolescents Abstract Purposes: To examine the current situation on the exercise behavior and comparing personal background, psychosocial variables between stages of behavior by using the transtheoretical Model in an adolescent population with high body mass index(HBMI). Methods: Students (BMI≧22.2; n = 750) from six different district high schools (Grades 7-9) in Tainan City completed self-administered questionnaires, all of which were adapted from previous literature. The questionnaire included demographics, self-reported levels of exercise, stages of change and social psychology constructs from the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). One-way ANOVA, chi-square test, t-test, were used to assess the concurrent and construct validity of the staging algorithm. Results: (1) In the exercise stages of change, the maintenance stage has the highest population ratio (27.5%), followed by preparation stage (26.8%), contemplation stage(17.1%), action stage(14.8%), and finally the precontemplation stage(9.9%). (2) The exercise behavior in the demographics showed significant differences except for the age. (3) Perception of movement, perceived exercise barriers, exercise self-efficacy, changing of exercise method, and social support showed significant differences, but no significant difference was shown on the body image. (4) The different sex showed significant differences in the exercise behavior, social psychological variable, and the body image of. Conclusion: High body mass index adolescents in Tainan City have a high ratio of maintenance stage. Therefore, nutritional education is necessary for those already have been exercised regularly in order to manage a healthy weight. These HBMI adolescents need a lot of encouragement, but mostly they need social support follow by the benefits of physical cognitive, time and weather barriers, the effectiveness of self-commitment, and self-evaluation of the body image. Recommendations: HBMI adolescents should avoid exercising in the high-temperature environment, and reduce exercise barriers. Implement different strategies at different exercise behavior stages. Precontemplation stage should be focusing mainly on cognitive education, stipulate an exercise commitment and use any exercise media or apparatus to enhance exercise intention. Nutritional education would be needed for those who have already been exercised regularly. Male adolescents should enhance exercise skill and female adolescents should be emphasis on the group exercise.