Who protects their health? Factors that influence health preventive behaviours and body mass index

Background: This study aimed to identify the extent to which levels of happiness and self-efficacy could predict preventive health behaviours (such as healthy eating and exercise) and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Data was collected from 100 adults (59% female), mean age 24.75 years, measuring generalised self-efficacy beliefs, happiness, health preventative behaviours, BMI, age and gender. Findings: Results indicate that both happiness and generalised self efficacy significantly predict health preventative behaviours, explaining 20% and 26% of the variance in the behaviours respectively. Mood was negatively correlated with BMI (r¼0.17, p50.05). Relationships were also noted between generalised self efficacy, happiness and BMI. Discussion: Evidence presented here suggests that happiness and high self-efficacy beliefs can significantly enhance health protective behaviours. Moreover, those who express higher levels of happiness, also exhibit higher levels of self efficacy and have a lower BMI. Suggestions are made to tailor health promotion campaigns towards enhancing mood and personal control beliefs.