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International Journal of Behavioral Medicine

Published in:

01-09-2009

The Relationship Between Life Satisfaction and Health Behavior: A Cross-cultural Analysis of Young Adults

Authors: Nina Grant, Jane Wardle, Andrew Steptoe

Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2009

Abstract

Background

Positive well-being has been associated with a range of favorable health outcomes. The contribution of health-promoting behaviors is unclear.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to assess the relationship between life satisfaction and seven health behaviors in young adults and investigate the consistency of associations across regions.

Method

Students (17,246) aged 17–30 years from 21 countries completed questionnaire measures of life satisfaction, smoking, physical exercise, alcohol consumption, sun protection, fruit intake, fat consumption, and fiber intake. Three geopolitical regions were identified: Western Europe and the USA (12 countries), Central and Eastern Europe (five countries), and Pacific Asia (four countries).

Results

Life satisfaction was positively associated with not smoking, physical exercise, using sun protection, eating fruit, and limiting fat intake, but was not related to alcohol consumption or fiber intake, after adjusting for age, gender, and data clustering. Results were consistent across regions for smoking and physical exercise, but differences were apparent for sun protection, fruit intake, and fat avoidance. Relationships between life satisfaction and health behaviors were independent of beliefs in the health benefits of behavior.

Conclusions

The association between life satisfaction and health-promoting behavior is likely to be bidirectional, but may partly account for the relationship between positive states and good health.

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Title: The Relationship Between Life Satisfaction and Health Behavior: A Cross-cultural Analysis of Young Adults
Authors: Nina Grant
Jane Wardle
Andrew Steptoe
Publication date: 01-09-2009
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2009
Print ISSN: 1070-5503
Electronic ISSN: 1532-7558
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-009-9032-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The Relationship Between Life Satisfaction and Health Behavior: A Cross-cultural Analysis of Young Adults

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

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