Efficacy of the Transtheoretical Model in Improving Exercise and Dietary Habits in Enlisted Air Force Personnel.

摘要

As a means of maintaining a fit and ready force, the United States military establishment has always incorporated fitness and weight standards for its personnel. According to USAF data, most personnel pass their fitness tests. However, one particular segment, men between 30 to 44 years of age, have lower scores and appear to have more difficulty passing. Although the USAF has existing nutrition and exercise programs to improve these health habits, they may only & suited for individuals motivated to change these behaviors. According to previous behavior change studies, a better approach is to use stage-matched interventions based on the Transtheoretical model. In short, devise programs that correctly identify an individual's motivation for engaging in a health behavior (stage of readiness to improve) and then match the appropriate intervention for the individual. Thirty-nine USAF men ranging in age from 30 to 44 were randomly assigned to either a treatment (have access to the stage- matched intervention program) or control (no access to program) group for a six- month period of time. There was no evidence that treatment group exposure to the program was effective in increasing VOsub2 levels in treatment subjects. The data suggest that the physical activity tailored information content was not effective in encouraging greater exercise intensity to positively impact fitness levels. However, the dietary-tailored information appears to have encouraged the adoption of more positive nutritional practices, as manifested by the beneficial effects seen in certain secondary outcomes (significant decreases in weight, body mass index and percent body fat).