AI Article Synopsis
- The study investigates whether maintaining or improving positive health behaviors impacts self-rated health (SRH) over time.
- An analysis of a large Australian sample over 8 years revealed that overall SRH declined, but non-smokers and those who maintained or increased physical activity reported better SRH.
- The research underscores the importance of healthy behaviors, especially regular physical activity, in minimizing declines in subjective health throughout adulthood.
Article Abstract
Objective: While it is clear that health behaviors are related to self-rated health (SRH), it is less clear if maintaining positive behaviors, or improving, can protect SRH over time.
Method: SRH trajectories were modeled in a large representative Australian sample (n=7485 at baseline), of three age cohorts (20-24, 40-44 and 60-64 years at baseline; 1999, 2000 & 2001 respectively), over an 8 year period. Change in smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity on SRH trajectories were examined, controlling for demographic, physical and mental health factors.
Results: SRH became poorer over time across the sample. Being a non-smoker was associated with more positive SRH levels across all groups. Maintaining or increasing moderate physical activity was associated with less decline in SRH.
Conclusions: Findings highlight the benefits of positive health behaviors, particularly performing regular physical activity over time, for reducing the risk of subjective health becoming poorer across the adult life course.
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| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2013.10.017 | DOI Listing |
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