Page 108 - Nutrition Counseling and Education Skills: A Guide for Professionals

Continue to Eat as Before Change Eating Behavior

Pros Cons Pros Cons
Better health Change is difficult
Pleasurable Damages health Feel better Can’t party with friends
Loses weight Requires effort
Comfortable Bad example for family

Easy

Decreases loneliness

Table 5-3 ■ Cost–Benefit Analysis for Change

SELF-ASSESSMENT 1

1. Think of a health problem or food behavior you would like to change.
2. Identify your SOC.
3. What processes or interventions are recommended for your SOC?
4. List the pros and cons of making the change.
5. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 the highest, how important is the change to you?

Self-efficacy

Self-efficacy is the belief that one can cope with temptations in high-risk situations without giving in or
relapsing to former behaviors.4 Based on Bandura’s theory, self-efficacy refers to the confidence that the client
has in adopting the new healthful behaviors. Because temptations are likely to occur, the client has to strive to
avoid lapses and relapse. Examples of temptations to lapse are negative feelings and moods, holidays,
emotional problems, cravings for food, and attending social events where food is served. A person with strong
self-efficacy will perform healthy behaviors even when conditions are not ideal.

Self-efficacy affects one’s motivation and the coping the client deals with. More than one change may be
recommended, such as to consume a low-fat, low-calorie diet; add more fruits and vegetables; exercise daily;
and stop smoking. These factors may be influenced by a person’s age, sex, economic status, income, cultural
group, educational level, and the like. Chapter 8 examines self-efficacy and relapse prevention.

In using personal stories of health behavior change from the Internet, one study selected and used those
having the greatest impact on client attitudes toward weight loss. Outcomes indicated a change in self-efficacy
and decisional balance for weight loss before and after personal stories were read.8

The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.

—Stephen Covey

Goal Setting

If the assessment of the client’s SOC indicates a readiness to change, goal setting is one approach to use in
counseling.9 A client’s new behaviors may be enhanced by deciding upon and making a commitment to

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