Systems Model for Behavior and Health

The links among common behaviors (e.g., diet, physical activity, and sleep) and health status are well documented. Emerging research is also showing health impacts of additional factors, such as social connection, alignment with circadian rhythms, microbiome diversity, and time spent in nature. These factors are additionally linked with one another: poor sleep, for example, is associated with reduced physical activity and poor dietary choices; daylight exposure is associated with greater alignment with circadian rhythms, which in turn, is linked with better sleep. These relationships are also connected to and/or modulated by states such as mood, stress, and energy level. Despite these known relationships, there is a lack of high-level models that combine epidemiology, physiology, and health psychology (e.g., behavioral, cognitive, and cultural factors). There is a need for such a model to represent the most influential components and dynamic relationships mediating human behaviors and resulting health outcomes.

Steve Downs, Lauren Wilcox and Kate Wolin presented the idea for a model -- along with a call for participation -- in a participatory session at the Society for Behavioral Medicine’s 2021 Annual Meeting.

The project is currently inactive. If you are interested in learning more about the project, please contact us.

Work Products

“Sacrificial” Model

Building H developed a rough systems diagram to illustrate the general idea of a systems model linking behaviors, health outcomes, and relevant physical or mental “states.”