The application of staging models to the understanding of health behaviourchange and the promotion of health

Health behaviour change programs should be based not only on relevant and d emonstrably effective strategies, but also on relevant theories or models. Models such as Social Learning Theory/Social Cognitive Theory and the Trans theoretical Model of Change, for example, may be applied independently or t ogether in a way that may lead to improved intervention outcomes. This pape r examines staged approaches to health behaviour change and promoting healt h, and illustrates how key concepts and variables from other models can be used in conjunction with such a framework to develop more tailored and targ eted strategies. An overview of the literature in this field is provided, a s well as a description of several case studies where interventions based o n matching of theories or models have been successful. The potential for ex tension of the application of such theories from an individual framework to multiple levels, and at an organisational level or environmental level are explored, whereby the potential reach of intervention programs beyond a re latively small number of individuals is increased while still maintaining a cceptable program exposure.