The relationship between process use and stage of change for sugary drinks

Decreasing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption may reduce obesity and obesity-related diseases. To better understand what processes could facilitate a reduction in sugary beverage intake, we examined the relationship between stage-of-change and use of 10 processes of change. Secondarily, reliability of the measure was assessed.

A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a newly developed stage-of-change and process of change questionnaire. Participants (n = 105; male, n = 28) were aged between 18 and 60 years. A one-way analysis of variance, with Tukey's and Benjamini-Hochberg post hoc tests, was used to compare process use by stages. Paired t-tests were used to compare total cognitive and total behavioural process use within each stage. Cronbach's α coefficient and mean inter-item correlation was used to assess internal consistency. Reliability of repeated items was examined using kappa.

Cognitive and behavioural processes were used more in the contemplation/preparation and maintenance stages than in precontemplation (all P < 0.05). Compared to precontemplation, process use was significantly higher in contemplation/preparation for five individual processes, action for four processes and maintenance for five processes. The use of dramatic relief and self liberation was lower in maintenance than contemplation/preparation. Across the stages, the use of eight of the 10 processes differed. The use of consciousness raising, self re-evaluation and self liberation differed between stages more frequently than other processes.

The use of many processes differed by stage and could be incorporated into programmes aiming to assist adults in reducing their consumption of sugary drinks.