RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Healthy lifestyle choices: could sense of coherence aid health promotion?
JF Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
JO J Epidemiol Community Health
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 871
OP 876
DO 10.1136/jech.2006.056275
VO 61
IS 10
A1 Nicholas W J Wainwright
A1 Paul G Surtees
A1 Ailsa A Welch
A1 Robert N Luben
A1 Kay-Tee Khaw
A1 Sheila A Bingham
YR 2007
UL http://jech.bmj.com/content/61/10/871.abstract
AB Background: A research framework based on the personal characteristic defined by a sense of coherence (SOC) focuses on the effective use of resources to maintain good health.Objectives: To test the hypothesis that individual differences in SOC are associated with healthier lifestyle choices independently of social class and education.Design and setting: Cross sectional. Population based cohort study recruited through 35 general practice registers. Reported dietary intakes of alcohol, fruit and vegetables, fibre, saturated fat, non-discretionary salt (sodium), and total sugars were assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Current cigarette smoking, physical inactivity, and SOC were assessed through questionnaires.Participants: 7863 men and 10 424 women. Residents of Norfolk (UK).Results: Compared with participants with the weakest SOC, those with the strongest were 28% less likely to be current smokers (odds ratio 0.72 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.58 to 0.89)), 36% less likely to be physically inactive (0.64 (0.55 to 0.75)), and reportedly consumed on average 63 g/day more fruit and vegetables (95% CI, 46 to 80), and 1.2 g/day more fibre (0.8 to 1.6). These associations were independent of age, sex, social class, and education. For physical inactivity and consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fibre, these differences exceeded those observed between the extremes of social class and education.Conclusions: Individual differences in SOC are associated with healthy lifestyle choices independently of social class and education, and may therefore aid the design of future health promotion interventions.