Which of the following best defines adherence?

Adherence is best defined as the act of consistently following a prescribed diet or exercise plan. It encompasses the commitment and dedication of an individual to maintain specific behaviors or lifestyle changes that are recommended for achieving health and fitness goals.

In the context of nutrition and fitness, adherence is crucial because it reflects how well a person sticks to the planned interventions. This consistency in following diet and exercise recommendations is necessary for obtaining desired results, whether it be weight loss, muscle gain, or overall health improvement. Adherence can significantly influence the effectiveness of any program, as one can have the best plan in place, but without follow-through, the expected benefits may not be realized.

While commitment to a belief or cause is related to one's motivation, it does not directly capture the concept of adherence in the context of health and nutrition. Similarly, while willingness to change behavior is an important precursor to achieving adherence, it does not encompass the specific action of following through with established plans. Therefore, adherence is best identified with the commitment to consistently implement a prescribed diet or exercise strategy.