Heart Healthy Eating Self-Efficacy

The validation of the Heart Healthy Eating Self-Efficacy Scale (HHESES) and its application in 2 different hypercholesterolemic populations are described. Path models based on self-efficacy and outcome beliefs measured by the HHESES predicted 36% to 70% of variance in eating behavior change for participants in a worksite nutrition intervention. Patients screened with the HHESES upon entry to a lipid clinic also showed high levels of confidence for performing low fat/low cholesterol eating behaviors. Women at high risk had significantly lower outcome beliefs than did men, despite higher self-efficacy. These findings are consistent with Bandura's self-efficacy theory.