Teachers' participation in health promotion was studied in Norwegian schools involved in the European Network of Health Promoting Schools. The study examined how teachers' motivation was related to participation in health promoting activities. The sample consisted of 104 teachers surveyed in 1994 and 1997. The teachers reported high motivation in terms of their attitudes, expectations and intentions at baseline, a high level of participation as well as positive outcome perceptions. Regression analyses suggested that teachers' intentions at baseline were associated with subsequent participation in health promotion. The findings indicate that teachers are inclined to participate in health promotion if they believe that it will result in positive outcomes. Previous experiences with health promoting activities also seem to enhance teachers' participation. (Contains 5 tables and 2 figures.)