Using Construct of the Trans -theoretical Model to Physical Activity Behavior in Osteoporosis Prevention: a Theory-based Study

Introduction Regular physical activity has positive effects on physical, mental and social status of individual especially osteoporosis prevention. Health policy makers have planned to encourage people to do the most physical activity. The trans-theoretical model is identified as a comprehensive model for physical activity behavior. Therefore, this study aimed to determine using a trans-theoretical model to physical activity behavior in osteoporosis prevention. Material and Method In a cross-sectional study, this studies 269 women who were selected from all the health centers of Khorramabad according to the inclusion criteria of the study and through two-stage cluster and systematic sampling method. The tools for data collection were valid and reliable questionnaires of demographic variables and construct of the Trans theoretical model of stages of change and physical activity. The data was analyzed using SPSS software. Results The mean age of the subjects was 38.72±7.003, and the mean light weekly physical activity was 38.83±56.400. The results showed that 43.5% of the women were in the pre-contemplation stage and 9.4% in the maintenance stage in doing regular exercise. Also, in terms of the ranking of stages of change in physical activity, 82.9% were in the non-action phase and 17.1% in the action phase. The results also showed that the construct of self-efficacy had the highest predictive power for the preventive behavior. Discussion The results showed that self-efficacy among the constructs of the Trans theoretical Model was the only predictive construct for regular physical activity osteoporosis prevention behavior. Therefore, the findings of this study can serve as a base for educational interventions in behavioral changes for the prevention of osteoporosis by health authorities.