The automatic component of habit in health behavior: habit as cue-contingent automaticity. Habit, identity, and repetitive action: a prospective study of binge-drinking in UK students. Targeting habits in anorexia nervosa: a proof-of-concept randomized trial. More than resisting temptation: Beneficial habits mediate the relationship between self-control and positive life outcomes. ‘On Your Feet to Earn Your Seat’, a habit-based intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour in older adults: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial On Your Feet to Earn Your Seat: pilot RCT of a theory-based sedentary behaviour reduction intervention for older adults The power of habits: unhealthy snacking behaviour is primarily predicted by habit strength. A social cognitive theory-based programme for eating patterns and sedentary activity among overweight adolescents in Makassar, South Sulawesi : a cluster randomised controlled trial. Healthy feeding habits: efficacy results from a cluster-randomized, controlled exploratory trial of a novel, habit-based intervention with parents.
OBJECTIVE Habit might be usefully characterized as a form of automaticity that involves the association of a cue and a response . Three studies examined habitual automaticity in regard to different aspects of the cue-response relationship characteristic of unhealthy and healthy habits . DESIGN , MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES , AND RESULTS In each study , habitual automaticity was assessed by the  Self-Report Habit Index ( SRHI ) . In Study 1 SRHI scores correlated with attentional bias to smoking cues in a Stroop task . Study 2 examined the ability of a habit cue to elicit an unwanted habit response . In a prospect i ve field study , habitual automaticity in relation to smoking when drinking alcohol in a licensed public house ( pub ) predicted the likelihood of cigarette-related action slips 2 months later after smoking in pubs had become illegal . In Study 3 experimental group participants formed an implementation  intention to floss  in response to a specified situational cue . Habitual automaticity of dental flossing  was rapidly enhanced compared to controls . CONCLUSION The studies provided three different demonstrations of the importance of cues in the automatic operation of habits . Habitual automaticity assessed by the SRHI captured aspects of a habit that go beyond mere frequency or consistency of the behavior OBJECTIVES Repeated action can lead to the formation of habits and identification as ' the kind of person ' that performs the behaviour . This has led to the suggestion that identity- relevance is a facet of habit . This study explores conceptual overlap between habit and identity , and examines where the two constructs fit into an extended Theory of Planned Behaviour ( TPB ) model of binge-drinking among university students . DESIGN Prospect i ve , question naire-based correlational design . METHODS A total of 167 UK university students completed baseline measures of past behaviour , self-identity , the Self-Report Habit Index ( SRHI ) , and TPB constructs . One week later , 128 participants completed a follow-up behaviour measure . RESULTS Factor analyses of the SRHI and four identity items revealed two correlated but distinct factors , relating to habit and identity , respectively . Hierarchical regression analyses of intention and behaviour showed that identity contributed over and above TPB constructs to the prediction of intention , whereas habit predicted behaviour directly , and interacted with intentions in predicting behaviour . Habits unexpectedly strengthened the intention-behaviour relation , such that strong intenders were more likely to binge-drink where they also had strong habits . CONCLUSIONS Identity and habit are conceptually discrete and impact differently on binge-drinking . Findings have implication s for habit theory and measurement . Recommendations for student alcohol consumption reduction initiatives are offered BACKGROUND Habits are behavioral routines that are automatic and frequent , relatively independent of any desired outcome , and have potent antecedent cues . Among individuals with anorexia nervosa ( AN ) , behaviors that promote the starved state appear habitual , and this is the foundation of a recent neurobiological model of AN . In this proof-of-concept study , we tested the habit model of AN by examining the impact of an intervention focused on antecedent cues for eating disorder routines . METHODS The primary intervention target was habit strength ; we also measured clinical impact via eating disorder psychopathology and actual eating . Twenty-two hospitalized patients with AN were r and omly assigned to 12 sessions of either Supportive Psychotherapy or a behavioral intervention aim ed at cues for maladaptive behavioral routines , Regulating Emotions and Changing Habits ( REaCH ) . RESULTS Covarying for baseline , REaCH was associated with a significantly lower Self-Report Habit Index ( SRHI ) score and significantly lower Eating Disorder Examination- Question naire ( EDE-Q ) global score at the end-of-treatment . The end-of-treatment effect size for SRHI was d = 1.28 , for EDE-Q was d = 0.81 , and for caloric intake was d = 1.16 . CONCLUSIONS REaCH changed habit strength of maladaptive routines more than an active control therapy , and targeting habit strength yielded improvement in clinical ly meaningful measures . These findings support a habit-based model of AN , and suggest habit strength as a mechanism-based target for intervention Why does self-control predict such a wide array of positive life outcomes ? Conventional wisdom holds that self-control is used to effortfully inhibit maladaptive impulses , yet this view conflicts with emerging evidence that self-control is associated with less inhibition in daily life . We propose that one of the reasons individuals with better self-control use less  effortful inhibition  , yet make better progress on their goals is that they rely on beneficial habits . Across 6 studies ( total N = 2,274 ) , we found support for this hypothesis . In Study 1 , habits for eating healthy snacks , exercising , and getting consistent sleep mediated the effect of self-control on both increased automaticity and lower reported effortful inhibition in enacting those behaviors . In Studies 2 and 3 , study habits mediated the effect of self-control on reduced motivational interference during a work-leisure conflict and on greater ability to study even under difficult circumstances . In Study 4 , homework habits mediated the effect of self-control on classroom engagement and homework completion . Study 5 was a prospect i ve longitudinal study of teenage youth who participated in a 5-day meditation retreat .  Better self-control before the retreat predicted stronger meditation habits 3 months after the retreat , and habits mediated the effect of self-control on successfully accomplishing meditation practice goals . Finally , in Study 6 , study habits mediated the effect of self-control on homework completion and 2 objective ly measured long-term academic outcomes : grade point average and first-year college persistence . Collectively , these results suggest that beneficial habits-perhaps more so than effortful inhibition-are an important factor linking self-control with positive life outcomes Background Many older adults are both highly sedentary ( that is , spend considerable amounts of time sitting ) and physically inactive ( that is , do little physical activity ) . This protocol describes an exploratory trial of a theory-based behaviour change intervention in the form of a booklet outlining simple activities ( ‘ tips ’ ) design ed both to reduce sedentary behaviour and to increase physical activity in older adults . The intervention is based on the ‘ habit formation ’ model , which proposes that consistent repetition leads to behaviour becoming automatic , sustaining activity gains over time . Methods The intervention is being developed iteratively , in line with Medical Research Council complex intervention guidelines . Selection of activity tips was informed by semi-structured interviews and focus groups with older adults , and input from a multidisciplinary expert panel . An ongoing preliminary field test of acceptability among 25 older adults will inform further refinement . An exploratory r and omized controlled trial will be conducted within a primary care setting , comparing the tips booklet with a control fact sheet . Retired , inactive and sedentary adults ( n = 120 ) aged 60 to 74 years , with no physical impairments precluding light physical activity , will be recruited from general practice s in north London , UK . The primary outcomes are recruitment and attrition rates . Secondary outcomes are changes in behaviour , habit , health and wellbeing over 12 weeks . Discussion Data will be used to inform study procedures for a future , larger-scale definitive r and omized controlled trial . Trial registration Current Controlled Trials IS RCT N47901994 Background Of all age groups , older adults spend most of the time sitting and are least physically active . This sequential , mixed- methods feasibility study used a r and omised controlled trial design to assess methods for trialling a habit-based intervention to displace older adults ’ sedentary behaviour with light activity and explore impact on behavioural outcomes . Methods Eligibility criteria were age 60–74 years , retired , and ≥6 h/day leisure sitting . Data were collected across four sites in Engl and . The intervention comprised a booklet outlining 15 ‘ tips ’ for disrupting sedentary habits and integrating activity habits into normally inactive setting s , and eight weekly self-monitoring sheets . The control was a non-habit-based factsheet promoting activity and sedentary reduction . A computer-generated 1:1 block-r and omisation schedule was used , with participants blinded to allocation . Participants self-reported sedentary behaviour ( two indices ) , sedentary habit , physical activity ( walking , moderate , vigorous activity ) and activity habit , at pre-treatment baseline , 8- and 12-week follow-ups and were interviewed at 12 weeks . Primary feasibility outcomes were attrition , adverse events and intervention adherence . The secondary outcome was behavioural change . Results Of 104 participants consented , 103 were r and omised ( intervention N = 52 , control N = 51 ) . Of 98 receiving allocated treatment , 91 ( 93 % ; intervention N = 45 ; control N = 46 ) completed the trial . One related adverse event was reported in the intervention group . Mean per-tip adherence across 7 weeks was ≥50 % for 9/15 tips . Qualitative data suggested acceptability of procedures , and , particularly among intervention recipients , the allocated treatment . Both groups appeared to reduce sedentary behaviour and increase their physical activity , but there were no apparent differences between groups in the extent of change . Conclusions Trial methods were acceptable and feasible , but the intervention conferred no apparent advantage over control , though it was not trialled among the most sedentary and inactive population for whom it was developed . Further development of the intervention may be necessary prior to a large-scale definitive trial . One possible refinement would combine elements of the intervention with an informational approach to enhance effectiveness . Trial registration IS RCT N47901994 ( registration date : 16th January 2014 ; trial end date 30th April 2015 OBJECTIVE Although increasing evidence shows the importance of habits in explaining health behaviour , many studies still rely solely on predictors that emphasize the role of conscious intentions . The present study was design ed to test the importance of habit strength in explaining  unhealthy snacking behaviour  in a large representative community sample ( N= 1,103 ) . To test our hypothesis that habits are crucial when explaining unhealthy snacking behaviour , their role was compared to the ' Power of Food ' , a related construct that addresses sensitivity to food cues in the environment . Moreover , the relation between Power of Food and unhealthy snacking habits was assessed . DESIGN AND METHODS A prospect i ve design was used to determine the impact of habits in relation to intention , Power of Food and a number of demographic variables . One month after filling out the question naire , including measures of  habit strength and Power of Food , participants reported their unhealthy snacking behaviour by means of a 7-day snack diary . RESULTS Results showed that habit strength was the most important predictor , outperforming all other variables in explaining unhealthy snack intake . CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate that snacking habits provide a unique contribution in explaining unhealthy snacking behaviour , stressing the importance of addressing habit strength in further research and interventions concerning unhealthy snacking behaviour BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Social cognitive theory provides the opportunity for program development to enhance healthy personal behvioural characteristics . We devised study to employ social cognitive theory to reduce snacking habits and sedentary activity among overweight adolescents . METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN Eight junior high schools in Makassar city were r and omly assigned as intervention and control schools . A total of 238 overweight students aged 11 - 15 years ( BMI z-score > = 1 SD , according to a 2007 report from the WHO ) were recruited . Adolescents from the intervention schools attended 12 weekly 75-min nutrition education group sessions , which focused on behavioural modification assisted by trained facilitators ; furthermore , their parents received weekly nutrition education leaflets . Adolescents from the control schools , but not their parents , received leaflets on evidence d-based nutrition information . The BMI z-scores , waist circumference , snacking habits , sedentary activity , and the adolescents ' self-efficacy data were assessed prior to and after 3 months of intervention . The outcomes were analysed on an intent-to-treat basis . RESULTS Compared with the control group , the intervention group showed a higher reduction in BMI z-scores ( -0.08 ; p<0.05 ) and waist circumference ( -1.5 ; p<0.05 ) at 3 months . Significant between-group differences were also observed for decreased snacking habits , but not for sedentary activity . Additionally , the programme improved self-efficacy for reducing these behaviours . Mean compliance and satisfaction with the programme were 95 % and 92 % , respectively . CONCLUSIONS These high reduction rates suggest that the programme is promising and may address the problem of overweightness in adolescents . Additional studies are required to develop the programme in community setting BACKGROUND As dietary gatekeepers for young children , parents are often the proximal target of family-based dietary interventions . Habit theory offers a novel approach to modifying parental feeding , based on " context -dependent repetition " to promote automatic responding and to reduce decisional conflict . OBJECTIVE This exploratory trial evaluated an intervention promoting habit formation for 3 parental feeding behaviors : serving fruit/vegetables , serving healthy snacks , and serving nonsweetened drinks . The primary outcome was parental habit strength for each behavior . The secondary outcome was children 's food intake . DESIGN Parents of children aged 2 - 6 y ( n = 126 ) were recruited from 6 children 's centers in London and cluster-r and omized to intervention ( n = 3 ) or no-treatment control ( n = 3 ) conditions . Parents in the  intervention group ( n = 58 ) received training on habit formation for 3 feeding behaviors ; control  participants ( n = 68 ) were asked only to complete the measures . At baseline and after treatment , parents completed vali date d measures of subjective " automaticity " for feeding behaviors and a brief child food-frequency measure . Parents in the intervention group were interviewed about the program . The change between groups , after clustering was controlled for , was analyzed . RESULTS For all parental feeding behaviors , automaticity increased more in the intervention group than in the control group ( P < 0.01 for all ) . Significant intervention effects on children 's intake of vegetables ( P = 0.003 ) , healthy snacks ( P = 0.009 ) , and water ( P = 0.032 ) were observed . Changes in children 's food intake correlated with changes in parental automaticity of feeding behaviors , and program acceptability was high . CONCLUSIONS A habit-based intervention successfully modified parental feeding behaviors , affected children 's diets positively , and was well received by parents . Habit theory provides a promising new tool to support family-based obesity prevention . This trial was registered as IS RCT N09910187
Results A four-item automaticity subscale ( the ‘ Self-Report Behavioural Automaticity Index ’ ; ‘ SRBAI ’ ) was found to be reliable and sensitive to two hypothesised effects of habit on behaviour : a habit-behaviour correlation , and a moderating effect of habit on the intention-behaviour relationship .
Conclusion The SRBAI offers a parsimonious measure that adequately captures habitual behaviour patterns .
The SRBAI may be of particular utility in predicting future behaviour and in studies tracking habit formation or disruption
Background The twelve-item Self-Report Habit Index ( SRHI ) is the most popular measure of energy-balance related habits .
This measure characterises habit by automatic activation , behavioural frequency , and relevance to self-identity .
Previous empirical research suggests that the SRHI may be abbreviated with no losses in reliability or predictive utility .
Drawing on recent theorising suggesting that automaticity is the ‘ active ingredient ’ of habit-behaviour relationships , we tested whether an automaticity-specific SRHI subscale could capture habit-based behaviour patterns in self-report data .