Behavior Change Theories in Nutrition Counseling

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     Since some of my classmates touched on motivational interviewing in the previous posts, I wanted to address behavior change theories in nutrition counseling. This article shows strong evidence for using the cognitive behavioral theory in nutrition counseling. These interventions tended to have the greatest positive effect on individuals with Type II diabetes and hypertension regarding their dietary habits, weight, and cardiovascular/diabetes risk factors. With the cognitive behavioral theory, a client is urged to explore, identify, and analyze dysfunctional patterns of thinking and acting. The client and counselor continually set goals, complete self monitoring in the form of food diaries, develop rewards for meeting goals, manage stress, etc. Interestingly, this article stated few studies exist in the nutrition field demonstrating use of the trans theoretical model, describing a series of cognitive and behavioral steps individuals take to change behavior. With motivational interviewing, the trans theoretical model is constantly applied when clients have to step by step increase their arguments for change while reducing resistance. Motivational interviewing is proving to be very effective in the nutrition field and I personally feel each client is different and will respond to different types of theories and counseling strategies. While this article provides interesting research, dietitians in a clinical setting need to establish relationships with clients to determine whether goal setting, social support, modeling the way, etc will result in the greatest positive behavioral changes.
E. Kintner

Spahn J, Reeves R, Clark N, et al. State of the Evidence Regarding Behavior Change Theories and Strategies in Nutrition Counseling to Facilitate Health and Food Behavior Change. Journal Of The American Dietetic Association [serial online]. June 2010;110(6):879-891. Available from: Academic Search Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 10, 2013.

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