Objective. Observed variation in health behavior may be attributable to socio-demographic variables. We tested the hypothesis that variability related to socio-demographic constructs may be linked to variation in social cognition determinants of health behavior. A proposed model in which effects of socio-demographic variables (age, education level, gender, income) on health behavior participation was mediated by social cognition constructs was tested. Design. Model effects were tested in

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... tional datasets (k=13) in different health behaviors, populations, and contexts. Samples included self-report measures of age, highest attained education level, gender, and net household income, and constructs from the theory of planned behavior (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, intention). Ten samples provided follow-up self-reports of health behavior. Results. Path analyses supported sample-specific indirect effects of gender and age on health behavior with comparatively few income and education level effects. Meta-analytic structural equation modeling across samples indicated consistent indirect and total effects of gender on intentions and health behavior through social cognition constructs, and a total effect of education on behavior. Conclusion. Results provide preliminary support for a proposed mechanism by which socio-demographic variables relate to health behavior. Replication in large representative samples and a meta-analytic synthesis across multiple health behavior studies is warranted.