The Multidimensional Health Behavior Inventory

Abstract

Gaps in knowledge about what constitutes healthy and risky behaviors for young people hinder successful health promotion intervention strategies. With the development of appropriate instruments, behaviors can be measured and interventions can be implemented to improve health outcomes. The structure of a new health behavior instrument, the Multidimensional Health Behavior Inventory (MHBI), was explored with data from 1,077 college students, ages 18 to 24 years. Factor analysis of 116 health behavior questions yielded 7 factor-based scales with 57 items: diet (13 items), substance use (10 items), safety (9 items), checkup (9 items), social (6 items), stress (6 items), and exercise (4 items). Evaluation of the 7 behavior scales of the MHBI using subgroups defined by age, gender, and race will contribute to an understanding of health behaviors of older adolescents and young adults and will provide directions for research and clinical interventions.

Empirically Derived Eating Patterns Using Factor or Cluster Analysis: A Review

“…Several types of articles are not included in this review, as follows: articles that used dietary data to measure very specific dietary behaviors, such as changes in fat intake 8 -10 ; articles that included non-dietary variables (e.g., physical activity, use of aspirin, disease states) [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] ; and articles that measured dietary preferences and behaviors (e.g., preference for meat, eating location). [22][23][24][25][26] Abstracts were not included in this review.…”

Effects of dieting‐related messages on psychological and weight control variables

“…The MHBI-Exercise subscale (MHBI) is a four item measure that was used to assess exercise intentions and behaviors on a five-point Likert scale. 34 The scale has acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's a 5 0.80) and content and convergent validity. 34 Directions were changed to assess usual, intended, and past 2-week exercise behavior.…”

“…34 The scale has acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's a 5 0.80) and content and convergent validity. 34 Directions were changed to assess usual, intended, and past 2-week exercise behavior. Cronbach's a was 0.86 in this sample.…”

“…The Multidimensional Health Behavior Inventory-Diet subscale (MHBI) 34 was utilized to assess healthy eating intentions and behaviors. The MHBI-Diet subscale consists of 13 Likert scale items assessing frequency of healthy nutritional behaviors (i.e., eating whole grain foods).…”

“…Internal consistency of the Diet subscale has been found to be very good (Cronbach's a 5 0.88). 34 Two questions regarding fruit and vegetable consumption were added using the MHBI stems. Reliability was good in the current study (Cronbach's a 5 0.84) after an item assessing daily consumption of junk food was deleted.…”