The study of health behaviors and fostering health-behavior change is an
important endeavor even in old age. The aim of this viewpoint article is
threefold. First, we use a broad perspective for the definition of health
behaviors to capture all relevant aspects of health-behavior change in older
adults. Particularly, we suggest a distinction between proximal (e.g.,
physical activity) and distal health behaviors (e.g., social participation).
Second, we recommend a stronger orientation towards processes in order to
study health behaviors and the design of health-behavior change interventions.
Third, we review the advantages of a developmental perspective in health
psychology. Future directions in the study of health behavior among older
adults are discussed
