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Abstract
We investigated the dimensions and stability in health-related behaviors (HRBs) among midlife Swedish women, and the factors that predicted change in those behaviors. At age 43, 569 women from a representative longitudinal sample completed questionnaires about lifestyle (diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol) and participated in medical screening. Four years later we mailed a follow-up questionnaire. HRBs clustered in two dimensions: healthy eating and addictions. There was a high degree of stability in HRBs; all women slightly increased their HRBs over time. After controlling for previous HRBs, we found that education, marital status, and having children at home were significant predictors of HRBs 4 years later.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This study was supported by the Committee of Longitudinal Research at the Swedish Council for the Planning and Coordination of Research, the Swedish Council for Social Research, the Örebro County Council; and an International Fellowship and University Research Starter Grant from the University of Calgary to K. Benzies. The assistance of C. Rudrum is gratefully acknowledged for her assistance with the literature review.
