#24 - NEW YEAR'S HEALTHY RESOLUTIONS CONTINUED

The Healthy Rotarian - "Changing Unhealthy Behaviors" (continued from previous column)

The most acceptable model used in health promotion is the "stages of change model".

In adopting healthy behavior, e.g. regular physical activity or eliminating an unhealthy one, e.g. watching  television, people progress through five (5) levels related to their readiness to change:

precontemplation, comtemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.

At each stage, different intervention strategies will help people progress to the next stage.

In stage 1, precontemplation,  the individual sees no problem and has no intention of changing.

In stage 2, comtemplation, an individual is aware and thinking about change but has no plans to change.

In stage 3, preparation, an individual has intention, plans, and may have taken initial steps to change but is unstable.

In stage 4, action, the individual is actively engaged in changing but vulnerable to relapse. 

Stage 5, maintenance, the individual has learned the skills and uses them regularly to maintain health behavior patterns.

Nurse Sipple