The Readiness to Change model can be used to assess if someone is ready to lose weight.
Questions to ask the patient
- In the past month, have you been actively trying to lose weight? Y/N
- In the past month, have you been actively trying to keep from gaining weight? Y/N
- Are you seriously considering trying to lose weight to reach your goal in the next 6 months? Y/N
- Have you maintained your desired weight for more than 6 months? Y/N
Stages of change pie chart – clockwise from top right
Action (making changes) – If the patient is at the Action stage they will answer ‘Yes’ to Questions 1 or 2 – they are trying to lose weight. You should reinforce the advice, encourage and support them.
Maintenance – If the patient is at the Maintenance stage they will answer ‘Yes’ to either Questions 1 or 2 and ‘Yes’ to Question 4. You should reinforce the advice and offer support.
Maintenance – Stable improved lifestyle
Relapse
Not thinking (pre-contemplation) – If the patient is at the Pre-contemplation stage they will answer ‘No’ to Questions 1, 2 & 3. You should therefore discuss the benefits of losing weight and risks of not doing so and reassess at a later date.
Not thinking (pre-contemplation) – Thinking (contemplation)
Thinking (contemplation) – If the patient is at the Contemplation stage they will answer ‘Yes’ to Question 3. You should offer them support and refer to the local obesity management guidelines.
Preparation
Page last reviewed: 12 Oct 2021
