J Wardle1, A Steptoe. 1. Cancer Research UK, Health Behaviour Unit, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK. j.wardle@ucl.ac.uk
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: s: The factors underlying socioeconomic status differences in smoking, leisure time physical activity, and dietary choice are poorly understood. This study investigated attitudes and beliefs that might underlie behavioural choices, including health locus of control, future salience, subjective life expectancy, and health consciousness, in a nationally representative sample. DESIGN: Data were collected as part of the monthly Omnibus survey of the Office of National Statistics in Britain. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified, probability sample of 2728 households was selected by random sampling of addresses. One adult from each household was interviewed. MAIN RESULTS: Higher SES respondents were less likely to smoke and more likely to exercise and eat fruit and vegetables daily. Lower SES was associated with less health consciousness (thinking about things to do to keep healthy), stronger beliefs in the influence of chance on health, less thinking about the future, and lower life expectancies. These attitudinal factors were in turn associated with unhealthy behavioural choices, independently of age, sex, and self rated health. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic differences in healthy lifestyles are associated with differences in attitudes to health that may themselves arise through variations in life opportunities and exposure to material hardship and ill health over the life course.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: s: The factors underlying socioeconomic status differences in smoking, leisure time physical activity, and dietary choice are poorly understood. This study investigated attitudes and beliefs that might underlie behavioural choices, including health locus of control, future salience, subjective life expectancy, and health consciousness, in a nationally representative sample. DESIGN: Data were collected as part of the monthly Omnibus survey of the Office of National Statistics in Britain. PARTICIPANTS: A stratified, probability sample of 2728 households was selected by random sampling of addresses. One adult from each household was interviewed. MAIN RESULTS: Higher SES respondents were less likely to smoke and more likely to exercise and eat fruit and vegetables daily. Lower SES was associated with less health consciousness (thinking about things to do to keep healthy), stronger beliefs in the influence of chance on health, less thinking about the future, and lower life expectancies. These attitudinal factors were in turn associated with unhealthy behavioural choices, independently of age, sex, and self rated health. CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic differences in healthy lifestyles are associated with differences in attitudes to health that may themselves arise through variations in life opportunities and exposure to material hardship and ill health over the life course.
Authors: M Vernay; B Salanave; C de Peretti; C Druet; A Malon; V Deschamps; S Hercberg; K Castetbon Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2013-09-03 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Edwin B Fisher; Marian L Fitzgibbon; Russell E Glasgow; Debra Haire-Joshu; Laura L Hayman; Robert M Kaplan; Marilyn S Nanney; Judith K Ockene Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2011-05 Impact factor: 5.043
Authors: Monique Zimmermann-Stenzel; Julia Mannuss; Sven Schneider; Marcus Schiltenwolf Journal: Dtsch Arztebl Int Date: 2008-06-13 Impact factor: 5.594
Authors: Eleanor Mann; A Toby Prevost; Simon Griffin; Ian Kellar; Stephen Sutton; Michael Parker; Simon Sanderson; Ann Louise Kinmonth; Theresa M Marteau Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2009-02-20 Impact factor: 3.295