Health status and health behaviour in men and women at the age of 34 years

Abstract

The aim of this investigation was to study relationships between health status and health behaviour in men and women. A group of 425 Swedish students were randomly selected in 1974 at the age of 16 years. In 1992, at the age of 34 years, those who were investigated comprised 88% of the original sample. Cross-sectional data on health status and health behaviour were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire. Among the men, leisure-time physical activity, smoking cigarettes and use of smokeless tobacco were significantly associated with perceived health, disease and perceived health, and impaired musculoskeletal function respectively. Among the women walking/cycling to work and choosing healthy foods significantly decreased the likelihood of impaired musculoskeletal function and being overweight respectively.