ISSA Nutritionist Practice Exam 2026 - Complete Preparation Guide

In the pre-contemplation stage, individuals are not yet recognizing or acknowledging that their behavior could be problematic or harmful. This stage is characterized by a lack of awareness or denial about the risks associated with certain behaviors, which might include unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, or other lifestyle choices. People in this stage often do not intend to change in the near future because they either do not see the need for change or are not informed about the potential consequences of their actions.

In contrast, the other stages involve varying degrees of recognition and active engagement with the idea of change. For instance, in the contemplation stage, individuals are aware of their problem and are considering making a change, while the action stage denotes actively implementing strategies to change. The maintenance stage refers to sustaining positive behavior changes over time, which inherently involves understanding the risks associated with previous behaviors.