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Assessing motivation for change toward healthy nutrition and regular physical activity. Validation of two sets of instruments

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism

Abstract

Background and aim

Studies to measure motivation for behavioural change were developed in Italy 15 years ago, following the validation of MAC and MAC2, Italian self-administered questionnaires created for heroin users, tobacco smokers and those with alcohol problems. This article presents the validation study of two sets of instruments created to assess motivation for change toward healthy nutrition and regular physical activity in Italian adult subjects who require or are referred for assessment or treatment to nutrition services.

Methods and results

The two sets of questionnaires (created within the Nutrition Counselling Project connected to the Piano Triennale Sicurezza Alimentare 2005–2007 (Food and Nutrition Security Plan 2005–2007) of the Region of Veneto) were administered to 431 patients to assess motivation for change toward healthy nutrition and 450 patients to assess motivation for change toward regular physical activity. The instruments showed good internal consistency. Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirms the consistency with the theoretical assumptions. Reliability and concurrent validity yielded strong correlations with the corresponding variables.

Conclusions

The study confirms the validity of the sets of instruments and their consistency with the model. These sets of instruments are the first psychometric tools integrating three factors (Discrepancy, Self-Efficacy, Readiness to Change) into a three-dimensional model of motivation for change.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dip. per le Dipendenze, ASL Genovese, Genoa, Italy

    Valter Spiller

  2. Dip. per le Dipendenze Patologiche, ASL AL, Alessandria, Italy

    Maurizio Scaglia

  3. Azienda U.L.SS. no. 6 “Vicenza”, Servizio di Igiene Alimenti e Nutrizione, Via IV Novembre 46, 35100, Vicenza, Italy

    Stefania Meneghini & Angiola Vanzo

Authors
  1. Valter Spiller
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  2. Maurizio Scaglia
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  3. Stefania Meneghini
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  4. Angiola Vanzo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Angiola Vanzo.

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Spiller, V., Scaglia, M., Meneghini, S. et al. Assessing motivation for change toward healthy nutrition and regular physical activity. Validation of two sets of instruments. Mediterr J Nutr Metab 2, 41–47 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12349-009-0044-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12349-009-0044-5

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