Testing the theory of planned behaviour in predicting women's intention about weight gain prevention

Objective: The study was to test the theory of planned behaviour in predicting women's intention about weight gain prevention. Methodology: A correlation study design with multiple regression and path analysis was used. The sample of the study was 270 healthy women between the ages of 21-45 who were married, and able to respond to a questionnaire. The participants were recruited from regions of four primary health care centers in Malatya, Turkey. The women were visited, interviewed and the questionnaire was filled in their homes. The data of the study were analysed through frequency distribution, multiple regression, path and correlation analyses. Results: Path analysis confirmed the direct and indirect relationships of the theory of planned behaviour in predicting women's intention about weight gain prevention. Regression analysis computed the model path coefficients ranging from ß .612 to .940. Overall, the Theory of Planned Behaviour explained 77.48% of the variance. Conclusions: A woman's attitude towards weight gain prevention and referent motivation needs further explanation prior to the development of women's intention about weight gain prevention.