Health-Promoting Behaviors in Men Age 45 and Above

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine and explain healthpromoting behaviors among middle-aged and older men. The Health Promotion Model (HPM) was used as the framework for this study. Surveys were used to measure perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, demographic factors, self-rated health (independent variables), and health-promoting behaviors (dependent variables). A multiple linear regression model revealed 66% of the variation in total health-promoting behaviors (HPB) accounted for by the independent variables. Models for exercise HPB and nutrition HPB showed 65% and 53% of the variance explained by the independent variables. Partial correlations determined that self-efficacy was the single most important predictor in all three models. Interventions to enhance men’s self-efficacy for health-promoting behaviors should be developed and studies for impact on behavior and health carried out.