Health is one of the most precious human assets. But which abilities and what knowledge does an individual need to attain a health-promoting lifestyle? What might a scientific model of health competence look like? For the first time, the author presents an empirically examined model that provides information on what abilities and knowledge constitute health competence - a key term in health promotion. The main focus is on self-regulatory processes. The model presented describes a clearly structured concept that, linked with the theory of self-determination provides concrete practical strategies. The model can be of great benefit to actors across the field of health, for instance in health care or corporate health promotion.