Social ecological strategies for promoting healthy lifestyles

Unhealthy behaviors such as using tobacco, overeating, abusing alcohol, and taking too little exercise are the main causes of premature death. These behaviors are caused by the social circumstances of opportunity and inducements to indulge. To be successful in helping people change such behaviors, health promotion professionals need to do more than just focus on individual lifestyle change strategies. Social ecological strategies must be developed to influence families and peer groups and the major institutions in our society.