Changing Poor Health Choices Using the Theory of Choice

"The world is living dangerously—either because of poor choices, or making the wrong choices" (World Health Report, 2002:1). While there have been dramatic changes in nutrition and lifestyle habits, some population of the world remain dangerously unchanged (World Health Report, 2002:1). Ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Race, gender & class (Towson, Md.) gender & class (Towson, Md.), 2009-01, Vol.16 (3/4), p.7-18
Main Author: Fomby-White, Betty
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
A) Socio Cultural and Economic Influences on Nutrition and Health Status
Banduras
Choices
Clients
Collaboration
Decision making
Disasters
Goal setting
Health Behavior
Health outcomes
Health problems
Health Professions
Influence
Knowledge
Lifestyle
Lifestyles
Medical personnel
Medical practice
Mortality
Nurses
Nutrition
Nutrition research
Perceptual experiences
Psychoeducational intervention
Quality of Life
Self efficacy
Theory
World population
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Summary:"The world is living dangerously—either because of poor choices, or making the wrong choices" (World Health Report, 2002:1). While there have been dramatic changes in nutrition and lifestyle habits, some population of the world remain dangerously unchanged (World Health Report, 2002:1). Changing poor health choices using the Theory of Choice is presented as a salient argument to support a set of principles that can be used as a tool to guide nurses and other health professionals who work with clients in changing poor health choices and achieving improved health outcomes. The Theory of Choice" provides a collaborative client practitioner interaction tool that may allow clients to change, grow, sustain and reach an improved level of health and quality of life. Having theoretical direction available for improving clients' poor health choices may assist health practitioners in promoting healthy outcomes and providing knowledge designed to improve practice. The Theory of Choice is comprised of one concept: choice. For the purpose of the development of the theory choice is conceptually defined as a mental process of thinking involving the process of judging both external, internal, other outside influences and options and uses these to set goals. Additionally, choice is operationally defined as actions taken that are well thought out, carefully selected, and well chosen that lead to setting of high level goals for achievement and is measured by a committed comprehensive measurable plan of performance or action. The theory identifies this plan as a SAMIC plan which is defined as Simple, Attainable, Measurable, Individually centered and Committed. Two tangible outcomes have resulted from the development the Theory of Choice. These are a theoretical model and an empirically measurable formula for the validation of outcomes.
ISSN:1082-8354