Question

personal health: Chapter 1: Health the basics: Changing behavior is not always easy. Once again, refer to the behavior that you have identified as one you would like to change. (quit eating junk foods) Using the goal-setting elements discussed in Chapter 1 as a reference, respond to the following questions: (1) What do I want - what is my ultimate goal? (2) Why is this behavior the greatest priority at this time? (3) Why is it important to me to change this behavior? (4) What health-promoting programs and services are available to assist me in my behavior change? (5) Who can I call on for support? Develop a plan of action based on the steps for making a change as outlined in your book.

Answer 1

1. The goal must be specific, measureable,action oriented ,timely and realistic.

Here my goal is to - to quit eating junk foods.

2. This change in behavior is the greatest priority this time because the habit of eating junk food caused a drastic increase in my weight which is causing many physiological difficulties like breathing difficulty, unable to walk vastly , damaged physical appearance etc.

3. It is important for me to change this behavior as this modifiable risk factor will lead to many diseases like diabetes, hypertension,coronary artery disease etc.

4. Various commonly used and available programs for behaviour change are :

- motivation therapy

- cognitive therapy

- health belief model

-health communication

- fear appeals

- persuasive communication

- modelling

- group teaching ( including people with similar problem and having experience of how to cope up).

- health education

5. For support I can call the nurse, psychologist ,counsellor

Using the change model - transtheoritical model plan of action has five stages :-

- preconception - in this phase the individual does not think that there is any need to change because he is unware of the consequences of his behavior.

- contemplation - in this phase individual is aware of the pros and cons of his behavior ,but has fear to change his behaviour which is pleasurealbe, exciting etc.

- preparation- in this phase the individual outweighs the pros of his behavior and prepare plans to change the behavior.

- action - in this phase the individual takes steps to change the behavior.

- maintainable - in this phase the individual successfully avoids any temptations to return to his previous behaviour.