Despite advancements in medical knowledge and public health initiatives, society continues to grapple with a mounting burden of chronic diseases (Leitzmann et al., 2007; Chakravarty et al., 2012). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), insufficient physical activity and obesity are recognised as leading risk factors for developing illness and for premature death (WHO, 2022). Termed the 'pandemic of physical inactivity' by Kohl and colleagues (2012), this phenomenon has severe global repercussions for individuals, society, healthcare systems and the economy. Against this backdrop, understanding the pivotal role of lifestyle behaviours in shaping health outcomes is crucial.
Recognising the pivotal role that habits play in shaping health outcomes, Vitality developed a data-driven tool to quantify habit formation – the Habit Index. This paper aims to fill the existing gap in knowledge surrounding habit formation and its impact on health outcomes.