The purpose of this study was to explore the measurement of health behavior from nursing perspectives. A search of the electronic data bases, CINHAL, PerioPath, and Dissertation and Thesis Abstract System was undertaken spanning the period of 1988-2004. The words: ”Wealth behavior” ”Measurement”, and ”Nursing” were used to identify quantiative original articles in English and Chinese. The methodology of systematic review is used to analyze the 100 quantitative nursing studies which were related to the health behaviors. In the articles reviewed it was shown that 75.0% articles were observation analysis research design. There was 11.0% articles using random sampling. The large proportion of subjects were women (32.0%) and adult (28.0%). Most of the articles (77.0%) which conceptual framework were based on the contemporary theory or model, among which 43 articles using Pender Health Promotion Model. The measurement of health behavior was according to the dimensions of health behavior in the theory or model, or the investigating category of behavior. The results of this study can help nursing professionals to scrutinize the concept of health behavior and apply it to clinical practices.