Assessing Stages of Readiness to Lose Weight among Overweight and Obese Adolescents using Trans-Theoretical Model

Introduction: Assessing the individual's level of readiness to change will help in losing weight and targeting for an ideal body weight.This study was aimed to determine the readiness to lose weight among overweight and obese adolescents using Trans-Theoretical Model (TTM) assessment tool.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 631 adolescents aged 13 to 19 years whose screened as overweight or obese (body mass index for age with z-score of ≥ 1 SD from WHO Reference 2007).Samples were selected using multistage random sampling from secondary level schools of two urban districts.The students had completed the translated and validated TTM constructs questionnaire and were categorized according to five stages of readiness to lose weight.One way ANOVA and MANOVA were used to analyze the relationship between stages of readiness to lose weight according to TTM assessment tool.Results: Majority of the adolescents are in the action stage (40.3%)followed by contemplation stage (26.5%),preparation stage (15.5%),maintenance (11.4%) and the least in precontemplation stage (6.3%).Significant differences across the stages of readiness to lose weight were identified in all processes of change, pros of decisional balance, physical activity and nutrition self-efficacy with p < 0.001 and temptation of high-fat and high calorie foods (F = 2.88, p value = 0.022).Conclusion: The significant differences found across the stages of readiness to lose weight using TTM model are useful in tailoring types of weight management interventions.