Abstract
An individual's identity related to health is critically important in terms of the adoption and maintenance of health behaviors, and guides approaches to health change across the lifespan. This article presents a review of the literature and proposes a health socialization and health identity framework, which may be used to clarify challenges in health behavior changes and also guide intervention efforts. Numerous classic theories of human development, cognition and motivation are reviewed, and suggestions for optimal health identity development are offered.
