Why is changing health-related behaviour so difficult?

Abstract Objective To demonstrate that six common errors made in attempts to change behaviour have prevented the implementation of the scientific evidence base derived from psychology and sociology; to suggest a new approach which incorporates recent developments in the behavioural sciences. Study d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Public health (London) 2016-07, Vol.136, p.109-116
Main Authors:	Kelly, Michael P, Barker, Mary
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology Alcohol Drinking - psychology Behaviour change Diet - psychology Epidemics - prevention & control Exercise - psychology Health Behavior Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Health Policy Humans Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Non-communicable disease Obesity - epidemiology Obesity - psychology Psychological Theory Public health Sedentary Behavior Smoking - epidemiology Smoking - psychology Social practice United Kingdom - epidemiology
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Summary:	Abstract Objective To demonstrate that six common errors made in attempts to change behaviour have prevented the implementation of the scientific evidence base derived from psychology and sociology; to suggest a new approach which incorporates recent developments in the behavioural sciences. Study design The role of health behaviours in the origin of the current epidemic of non-communicable disease is observed to have driven attempts to change behaviour. It is noted that most efforts to change health behaviours have had limited success. This paper suggests that in policy-making, discussions about behaviour change are subject to six common errors and that these errors have made the business of health-related behaviour change much more difficult than it needs to be. Methods Overview of policy and practice attempts to change health-related behaviour. Results The reasons why knowledge and learning about behaviour have made so little progress in alcohol, dietary and physical inactivity-related disease prevention are considered, and an alternative way of thinking about the behaviours involved is suggested. This model harnesses recent developments in the behavioural sciences. Conclusion It is important to understand the conditions preceding behaviour psychologically and sociologically and to combine psychological ideas about the automatic and reflective systems with sociological ideas about social practice.
ISSN:	0033-3506 1476-5616