Purpose <p>Changing lifestyle to include healthy eating and physical activities is an effective way to reduce non-communicable diseases. Less is known about the prevalent attitudes the middle-aged hold toward the behavioral factors affecting physical activity and healthy eating behaviors. The present study was conducted to investigate the behavioral factors affecting physical activity and nutritional behaviors among the middle-aged individuals using a qualitative approach.</p> Methods <p>The present study employed a qualitative approach and used directed content analysis of data collected from the middle-aged visiting healthcare centers in Bandar Abbas city. Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection. Twenty five participants were selected through a purposive sampling with a maximum variety of sex, age, education, marital status and occupation. The interviews continued until data saturation. Guba and Lincoln’s trustworthiness criteria were used to assess the transferability of findings. The data management was done in MAXQDA 20.</p> Results <p>Nine sub-categories affecting physical activity and nutritional behavior were identified, including behavioral skills, appropriate physical activity skill, healthy cooking skill, life skills, goal setting, proper timing, proper strategy, planning to achieve goals, and psychosocial and tangible aspects.</p> Conclusion <p>The present findings showed that learning certain skills as well as certain social and psychological boosters can increase intention and performance of regular physical activity and proper nutritional behaviors.</p>