Action is the stage in which people
have made specific overt modifications
in their life styles within the
past 6 months. Since action is observable,
behavior change often has been
equated with action. But in the transtheoretical
model, action is only one
of six stages. Not all modifications of
behavior count as action in this model.
People must attain a criterion that
scientists and professionals agree is
sufficient to reduce risks for disease.
In smoking, for example, the field
used to count reduction in the number
of cigarettes as action, or switching
to low tar and nicotine cigarettes.
Now, the consensus is clear--only total
abstinence counts. In the diet
area, there is a consensus that less
than 30% of calories should be consumed
from fat. But there are those
who believe that this guideline needs
to be lowered to 25% or even 20%.