Objective: To assess the association of health behaviors among husbands and wives.
Methods: Cohort study of 553 Mexican American couples aged 65 years or older from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE). Multivariate regression analyses test the association of body mass index, smoking, and alcohol consumption among husbands and wives.
Results: Body mass index is positively associated among couples. Risk of smoking or drinking was higher if the partner had ever smoked or drank alcohol.
Conclusion: Health behaviors are associated among older Mexican American couples. Intervention efforts should be directed at both spouses.