The Association Between Family Social Network Size and Healthy Lifestyle Factors: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Abstract

We examined associations of central family (i.e., children, parents, in-laws) social network size with healthy lifestyle factors (i.e., favorable body mass index, physical activity, diet, alcohol use, smoking). Using data on 15,511 Hispanics/Latinos 18–74 years old from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, multivariable adjusted survey logistic regression was used to compute associations of social network size with healthy lifestyle factors. A one-unit higher total of central family size was associated with lower odds of healthy body mass index (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.86–0.93) and having all five healthy lifestyle factors (OR 0.90; 95% CI 0.85–0.96). Findings suggest familial structural social support may contribute to healthy lifestyle factors and differ based on the type of relationship among Hispanics/Latinos.