Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Behaviors

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Behavioral Medicine

Abstract

The importance of physical activity and healthy eating for preventing a range of adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, has been well documented. However, in developed countries a significant proportion of the population fail to meet physical activity and healthy eating recommendations. These complex behaviors are influenced by a broad range of factors, which are important to understand in order to best promote physical activity and healthy eating. While much work to date has focused on individual-level influences such as attitudes and beliefs, less research has examined the influence of the social and physical environment on these behaviors. Theoretical paradigms such as social–ecological models posit the importance of these broader factors in influencing behavior. This chapter provides an overview of research that has examined social and environmental factors hypothesized to be important for physical activity and healthy eating behavior, including socioeconomic position, social support, access, availability, and affordability. This chapter considers the work that has been conducted and the conclusions that can be drawn from this, discusses the limitations of the current evidence, describes key methodological and conceptual issues, and provides directions for future investigations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 429.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 799.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ajzen, I. (1985). From intentions to actions: a theory of planned behavior. In J. Kuhl & J. Beckman (Eds.), Action-Control: From Cognition to Behavior (pp. 11–39). Heidelberg: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andrieu, E., Darmon, N., and Drewnowski, A. (2006). Low-cost diets: more energy, fewer nutrients. Eur J Clin Nutr, 60, 434–436.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ball, K., Bauman, A., Leslie, E., and Owen, N. (2001). Perceived environmental aesthetics and convenience and company are associated with walking for exercise among Australian adults. Prev Med, 33, 434–440.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ball, K., Crawford, D., and Mishra, G. (2006a). Socio-economic inequalities in women’s fruit and vegetable intakes: a multilevel study of individual, social and environmental mediators. Public Health Nutr, 9, 623–630.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ball, K., Salmon, J., Giles-Corti, B., and Crawford, D. (2006b). How can socio-economic differences in physical activity among women be explained? A qualitative study. Women Health, 43, 93–113.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ball, K., Timperio, A., Salmon, J., Giles-Corti, B., Roberts, R. et al (2007). Personal, social and environmental determinants of educational inequalities in walking: a multilevel study. J Epidemiol Community Health, 61, 108–114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ball, K., Timperio, A. F., and Crawford, D. A. (2006c). Understanding environmental influences on nutrition and physical activity behaviors: where should we look and what should we count? Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act, 3, 33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baranowski, T., Cullen, K. W., and Baranowski, J. (1999). Psychosocial correlates of dietary intake: advancing dietary intervention. Annu Rev Nutr, 19, 17–40.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bartley, M., Martikainen, P., Shipley, M., and Marmot, M. (2004). Gender differences in the relationship of partner’s social class to behavioural risk factors and social support in the Whitehall II study. Soc Sci Med, 59, 1925–1936.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bauman, A., Smith, B., Stoker, L., Bellew, B., and Booth, M. (1999). Geographical influences upon physical activity participation: evidence of a ‘coastal effect’. Aust N Z J Public Health, 23, 322–324.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Becker, M. H., and Maiman, L. A. (1975). Sociobehavioral determinants of compliance with health and medical care recommendations. Med Care, 13, 10–24.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Booth, M. L., Owen, N., Bauman, A., Clavisi, O., and Leslie, E. (2000). Social-cognitive and perceived environment influences associated with physical activity in older Australians. Prev Med, 31, 15–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brownson, R. C., Hoehner, C. M., Day, K., Forsyth, A., and Sallis, J. F. (2009). Measuring the built environment for physical activity: state of the science. Am J Prev Med, 36, S99–123 e12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brug, J., Kremers, S. P., Lenthe, F., Ball, K., and Crawford, D. (2008). Environmental determinants of healthy eating: in need of theory and evidence. Proc Nutr Soc, 67, 307–316.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burney, J., and Haughton, B. (2002). EFNEP: a nutrition education program that demonstrates cost-benefit. J Am Diet Assoc, 102, 39–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cheadle, A., Psaty, B. M., Curry, S., Wagner, E., Diehr, P. et al (1991). Community-level comparisons between the grocery store environment and individual dietary practices. Prev Med, 20, 250–261.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chinn, D. J., White, M., Harland, J., Drinkwater, C., and Raybould, S. (1999). Barriers to physical activity and socioeconomic position: implications for health promotion. J Epidemiol Community Health, 53, 191–192.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cleland, V. J., Ball, K., Salmon, J., Timperio, A. F., and Crawford, D. A. (2010). Personal, social and environmental correlates of resilience to physical inactivity among women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Health Educ Res, 25(2), 268–281 (Epub ahead of print, Oct 29, DOI:10.1093/her/cyn054).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cleland, V. J., Timperio, A., and Crawford, D. (2008). Are perceptions of the physical and social environment associated with mothers’ walking for leisure and for transport? A longitudinal study. Prev Med, 47, 188–193 (Epub ahead of print, Oct 29, DOI:10.1093/her/cyn054 #1861).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cliska, D., Miles, E., O’Brien, M. A., Turl, C., Tomasik, H. H. et al (2000). Effectiveness of community-based interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption. J Nutr Educ, 32, 241–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Bourdeaudhuij, I., Sallis, J. F., and Saelens, B. E. (2003). Environmental correlates of physical activity in a sample of Belgian adults. Am J Health Promot, 18, 83–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Devine, C. M., Wolfe, W. S., Frongillo, E. A., Jr., and Bisogni, C. A. (1999). Life-course events and experiences: association with fruit and vegetable consumption in 3 ethnic groups. J Am Diet Assoc, 99, 309–314.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diez-Roux, A. V., Nieto, F. J., Caulfield, L., Tyroler, H. A., Watson, R. L. et al (1999). Neighbourhood differences in diet: the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. J Epidemiol Community Health, 53, 55–63.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Drewnowski, A., Darmon, N., and Briend, A. (2004). Replacing fats and sweets with vegetables and fruits – a question of cost. Am J Public Health, 94, 1555–1559.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duncan, M. J., Mummery, W. K., Steele, R. M., Caperchione, C., and Schofield, G. (2009). Geographic location, physical activity and perceptions of the environment in Queensland adults. Health Place, 15, 204–209.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foster, C., Hillsdon, M., and Thorogood, M. (2004). Environmental perceptions and walking in English adults. J Epidemiol Community Health, 58, 924–928.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • French, S. A., Jeffery, R. W., Story, M., Breitlow, K. K., Baxter, J. S. et al (2001). Pricing and promotion effects on low-fat vending snack purchases: the CHIPS Study. Am J Public Health, 91, 112–117.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • French, S. A., Story, M., Jeffery, R. W., Snyder, P., Eisenberg, M. et al (1997). Pricing strategy to promote fruit and vegetable purchase in high school cafeterias. J Am Diet Assoc, 97, 1008–1010.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friel, S., Kelleher, C. C., Nolan, G., and Harrington, J. (2003). Social diversity of Irish adults nutritional intake. Eur J Clin Nutr, 57, 865–875.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galobardes, B., Morabia, A., and Bernstein, M. S. (2001). Diet and socioeconomic position: does the use of different indicators matter? Int J Epidemiol, 30, 334–340.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gidlow, C., Johnston, L. H., Crone, D., Ellis, N., and James, D. (2006). A systematic review of the relationship between socio-economic position and physical activity. Health Educ J, 65, 338–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Giles-Corti, B., and Donovan, R. J. (2002). Socioeconomic status differences in recreational physical activity levels and real and perceived access to a supportive physical environment. Prev Med, 35, 601–611.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giles-Corti, B., Timperio, A., Bull, F., and Pikora, T. (2005). Understanding physical activity environmental correlates: increased specificity for ecological models. Exerc Sport Sci Rev, 33, 175–181.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giskes, K., Kamphuis, C. B., van Lenthe, F. J., Kremers, S., Droomers, M. et al (2007a). A systematic review of associations between environmental factors, energy and fat intakes among adults: is there evidence for environments that encourage obesogenic dietary intakes? Public Health Nutr, 10, 1005–1017.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Giskes, K., Van Lenthe, F. J., Brug, J., Mackenbach, J. P., and Turrell, G. (2007b). Socioeconomic inequalities in food purchasing: the contribution of respondent-perceived and actual (objectively measured) price and availability of foods. Prev Med, 45, 41–48.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Glanz, K., Basil, M., Maibach, E., Goldberg, J., and Snyder, D. (1998). Why Americans eat what they do: taste, nutrition, cost, convenience, and weight control concerns as influences on food consumption. J Am Diet Assoc, 98, 1118–1126.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hagler, A. S., Norman, G. J., Zabinski, M. F., Sallis, J. F., Calfas, K. J. et al (2007). Psychosocial correlates of dietary intake among overweight and obese men. Am J Health Behav, 31, 3–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoehner, C. M., Brennan Ramirez, L. K., Elliott, M. B., Handy, S. L., and Brownson, R. C. (2005). Perceived and objective environmental measures and physical activity among urban adults. Am J Prev Med, 28, 105–116.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hulshof, K. F., Brussaard, J. H., Kruizinga, A. G., Telman, J., and Lowik, M. R. (2003). Socio-economic status, dietary intake and 10 y trends: the Dutch National Food Consumption Survey. Eur J Clin Nutr, 57, 128–137.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Humpel, N., Marshall, A. L., Leslie, E., Bauman, A., and Owen, N. (2004a). Changes in neighborhood walking are related to changes in perceptions of environmental attributes. Ann Behav Med, 27, 60–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Humpel, N., Owen, N., and Leslie, E. (2002). Environmental factors associated with adults’ participation in physical activity: a review. Am J Prev Med, 22, 188–199.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Humpel, N., Owen, N., Leslie, E., Marshall, A. L., Bauman, A. E. et al (2004b). Associations of location and perceived environmental attributes with walking in neighborhoods. Am J Health Promot, 18, 239–242.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huston, S. L., Evenson, K. R., Bors, P., and Gizlice, Z. (2003). Neighborhood environment, access to places for activity, and leisure-time physical activity in a diverse North Carolina population. Am J Health Promot, 18, 58–69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Inglis, V., Ball, K., and Crawford, D. (2005). Why do women of low socioeconomic status have poorer dietary behaviours than women of higher socioeconomic status? A qualitative exploration. Appetite, 45, 334–343.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jetter, K. M., and Cassady, D. L. (2006). The availability and cost of healthier food alternatives. Am J Prev Med, 30, 38–44.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kamphuis, C. B., Giskes, K., de Bruijn, G. J., Wendel-Vos, W., Brug, J. et al (2006). Environmental determinants of fruit and vegetable consumption among adults: a systematic review. Br J Nutr, 96, 620–635.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kawachi, I. (1999). Social capital and community effects on population and individual health. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 896, 120–130.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kawachi, I., Kim, D., Coutts, A., and Subramanian, S. V. (2004). Commentary: reconciling the three accounts of social capital. Int J Epidemiol, 33, 682–90; discussion 700–704.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, D., Subramanian, S. V., Gortmaker, S. L., and Kawachi, I. (2006). US state- and county-level social capital in relation to obesity and physical inactivity: a multilevel, multivariable analysis. Soc Sci Med, 63, 1045–1059.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindstrom, M., Hanson, B. S., and Ostergren, P. O. (2001). Socioeconomic differences in leisure-time physical activity: the role of social participation and social capital in shaping health related behaviour. Soc Sci Med, 52, 441–451.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindstrom, M., Moghaddassi, M., and Merlo, J. (2003). Social capital and leisure time physical activity: a population based multilevel analysis in Malmo, Sweden. J Epidemiol Community Health, 57, 23–28.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McColl, K. (2009). “Fat taxes” and the financial crisis. Lancet, 373, 797–798.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGinn, A. P., Evenson, K. R., Herring, A. H., Huston, S. L., and Rodriguez, D. A. (2007). Exploring associations between physical activity and perceived and objective measures of the built environment. J Urban Health, 84, 162–184.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGinn, A. P., Evenson, K. R., Herring, A. H., Huston, S. L., and Rodriguez, D. A. (2008). The association of perceived and objectively measured crime with physical activity: a cross-sectional analysis. J Phys Act Health, 5, 117–131.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mishra, G., Ball, K., Arbuckle, J., and Crawford, D. (2002). Dietary patterns of Australian adults and their association with socioeconomic status: results from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey. Eur J Clin Nutr, 56, 687–693.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morland, K., Wing, S., and Diez Roux, A. (2002). The contextual effect of the local food environment on residents’ diets: the atherosclerosis risk in communities study. Am J Public Health, 92, 1761–1767.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy, P. A., Prewitt, T. E., Bote, E., West, B., and Iber, F. L. (2001). Internal locus of control and social support associated with some dietary changes by elderly participants in a diet intervention trial. J Am Diet Assoc, 101, 203–208.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nagel, C. L., Carlson, N. E., Bosworth, M., and Michael, Y. L. (2008). The relation between neighborhood built environment and walking activity among older adults. Am J Epidemiol, 168, 461–468.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • National Health and Medical Research Council (2003). Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults. Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollard, J., Greenwood, D., Kirk, S., and Cade, J. (2001). Lifestyle factors affecting fruit and vegetable consumption in the UK Women’s Cohort Study. Appetite, 37, 71–79.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. D. (2000). Bowling Alone. The collapse and revival of American community. New York, London: Simon & Schuster.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raynor, H. A., Kilanowski, C. K., Esterlis, I., and Epstein, L. H. (2002). A cost-analysis of adopting a healthful diet in a family-based obesity treatment program. J Am Diet Assoc, 102, 645–656.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riediger, N. D., and Moghadasian, M. H. (2008). Patterns of fruit and vegetable consumption and the influence of sex, age and socio-demographic factors among Canadian elderly. J Am Coll Nutr, 27, 306–313.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rose, D., and Richards, R. (2004). Food store access and household fruit and vegetable use among participants in the US Food Stamp Program. Public Health Nutr, 7, 1081–1088.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rose, R. (2000). How much does social capital add to individual health? A survey study of Russians. Soc Sci Med, 51, 1421–1435.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sallis, J., and Owen, N. (1999). Physical Activity and Behavioral Medicine. California: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sallis, J., and Owen, N. (2002). Ecological models of health behavior. In K. Glanz, B. K. Rimer, & F. M. Lewis (Eds.), Health Behavior and Health Education: Theory, Research & Practice, 3rd Ed (pp. 462–484). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sallis, J. F., Bowles, H. R., Bauman, A., Ainsworth, B. E., Bull, F. C. et al (2009). Neighborhood environments and physical activity among adults in 11 countries. Am J Prev Med, 36, 484–490.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shaikh, A. R., Yaroch, A. L., Nebeling, L., Yeh, M. C., and Resnicow, K. (2008). Psychosocial predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption in adults a review of the literature. Am J Prev Med, 34, 535–543.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steptoe, A., Wardle, J., Fuller, R., Holte, A., Justo, J. et al (1997). Leisure-time physical exercise: prevalence, attitudinal correlates, and behavioral correlates among young Europeans from 21 countries. Prev Med, 26, 845–854.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stokols, D. (1992). Establishing and maintaining healthy environments. Toward a social ecology of health promotion. Am Psychol, 47, 6–22.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Troped, P. J., Saunders, R. P., Pate, R. R., Reininger, B., Ureda, J. R. et al (2001). Associations between self-reported and objective physical environmental factors and use of a community rail-trail. Prev Med, 32, 191–200.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trost, S. G., Owen, N., Bauman, A. E., Sallis, J. F., and Brown, W. (2002). Correlates of adults’ participation in physical activity: review and update. Med Sci Sports Exerc, 34, 1996–2001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • US Department of Health and Human Services (1996). Physical activity and health: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

    Google Scholar 

  • US Department of Health and Human Services (2005). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans. USA: US Department of Health and Human Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • US Department of Health and Human Services (2008). 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. USA: US Department of Health and Human Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veenstra, G. (2000). Social capital, SES and health: an individual-level analysis. Soc Sci Med, 50, 619–629.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wandel, M. (1995). Dietary intake of fruits and vegetables in Norway: influence of life phase and socio-economic factors. Int J Food Sci Nutr, 46, 291–301.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watters, J. L., Satia, J. A., and Galanko, J. A. (2007). Associations of psychosocial factors with fruit and vegetable intake among African-Americans. Public Health Nutr, 10, 701–711.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wendel-Vos, W., Droomers, M., Kremers, S., Brug, J., and van Lenthe, F. (2007). Potential environmental determinants of physical activity in adults: a systematic review. Obes Rev, 8, 425–440.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wilcox, S., Castro, C., King, A. C., Housemann, R., and Brownson, R. C. (2000). Determinants of leisure time physical activity in rural compared with urban older and ethnically diverse women in the United States. J Epidemiol Community Health, 54, 667–672.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Cancer Research Fund and American Institute for Cancer Research (2007). Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective. Washington, DC: American Institute for Cancer Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (2002). Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Disease. Report of a joint WHO/FAO Technical Expert Group. WHO Technical Report Series, 916. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zimmermann, E., Ekholm, O., Gronbaek, M., and Curtis, T. (2008). Predictors of changes in physical activity in a prospective cohort study of the Danish adult population. Scand J Public Health, 36, 235–241.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC, 3125, Australia

    Verity J. Cleland (Research Fellow) & David Crawford (Director)

  2. School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, 3125, Burwood, VIC, Australia

    Kylie Ball (Associate Professor)

Authors
  1. Verity J. Cleland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Kylie Ball
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. David Crawford
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Verity J. Cleland .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. St Georges Hospital Medical School, Dept. Psychology, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0RE, United Kingdom

    A. Steptoe

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Cleland, V.J., Ball, K., Crawford, D. (2010). Social and Environmental Determinants of Health Behaviors. In: Steptoe, A. (eds) Handbook of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-09488-5_1

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation