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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 2/2011

01-10-2011 | Original Article

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Applications of the Self-Report Habit Index to Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviours

Authors: Benjamin Gardner, DPhil, MRes, BA, Gert-Jan de Bruijn, PhD, Phillippa Lally, PhD

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2011

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Abstract

Background

Health behaviour models typically neglect habitual action. The Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI) permits synthesis of evidence of the influence of habit on behaviour.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to review evidence around mean habit strength, habit–behaviour correlations, and habit × intention interactions, from applications of the SRHI to dietary, physical activity, and active travel behaviour.

Method

Electronic database searches identified 126 potentially relevant papers. Twenty-two papers (21 datasets) passed eligibility screening. Mean scores and correlations were meta-analysed using fixed, random and mixed effects, and interactions were synthesised via narrative review.

Results

Twenty-three habit–behaviour correlations and nine habit × intention interaction tests were found. Typical habit strength was located around the SRHI midpoint. Weighted habit–behaviour effects were medium-to-strong (fixed: r +  = 0.44; random: r +  = 0.46). Eight tests found that habit moderated the intention–behaviour relation.

Conclusion

More comprehensive understanding of nutrition and activity behaviours will be achieved by accounting for habitual responses to contextual cues.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Applications of the Self-Report Habit Index to Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviours
Authors
Benjamin Gardner, DPhil, MRes, BA
Gert-Jan de Bruijn, PhD
Phillippa Lally, PhD
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2011
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-011-9282-0

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