This study based on the revised Pender Health Promotion Model (HPM) was conducted to determine the extent to which selected demographic modifying factors, health locus of control, self‐efficacy, and current health status explained engaging in six health promotion practices in a sample of 397 employed Mexican American women aged 19 to 70 years who lived and worked in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Self‐administered test packets contained measures of demographic characteristics, health locus of control, self‐efficacy, health status, and the six health promotion practices. Canonical correlational analysis demonstrated two significant canonical variate pairs explaining 88% of variance in the dependent set, the subscale mean scores of the Health‐Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Age; education; self‐efficacy; internal and powerful others health locus of control; and prior, current, and future health status made statistically significant contributions. However, the demographic variables made only a minimal contribution, confirming the recent conclusions of researchers that the HPM as currently configured provides an inadequate explanation of the modifying factors' role in health promotion activity. Study results make an important addition to the understanding of how lifestyle factors contribute to Mexican American women's health and well‐being.