The development of self-efficacy scales for healthrelated diet and exercise behaviors

The purpose of the study was to develop selfefficacy scales specifically for health-related eating and exercise behaviors. Study I consisted of interviews with 40 individuals to identify behavioral and situational components of dietary and exercise change. In Study II items derived from their responses were administered to 171 subjects. Principal-components factor analysis yielded two meaningful exercise self-efficacy factors and five dietary self-efficacy factors. The test-retest reliabilities and internal consistencies of the factors were examined. Self-efficacy factors were significantly associated with reported diet and exercise behaviors, providing evidence of criterion-related validity. These self-efficacy scales for eating and exercise behaviors show preliminary evidence of being reliable and valid, and they warrant further study.