This short overview focusing on health behaviour as related to coronary risk calls for a distinction between models which aim at explaining initiation of health-damaging behaviour during adolescence and models explaining maintenance of risk behaviour in adult life. With respect to the former, close links between the development of a stable self-concept and risk behaviour are stressed. With respect to the latter, four theoretical models are summarized: the model of risk-taking behaviour; the health belief model; the model of cultural lag and the model of social comparison. The practical implications of these models are discussed briefly.