Becoming healthier may motivate your partner to join in

Conclusion This cohort study has found that individuals with unhealthy behaviours such as smoking, being inactive or being overweight are most likely to change these behaviours if their unhealthy partner also changes these behaviours. Having a partner who has consistently healthy behaviours was also associated with a greater likelihood of change in smoking and activity compared to a consistently unhealthy partner, but less so than having a partner who changed behaviour. There were some limitations to the study, including that: The study took into account some confounders, such as age and some health conditions, but other factors could also be having an effect – such as unmeasured health conditions or events. For example, there could have been a mutual life event experienced by both partners that motivated the change, such as the death of a friend or relative from lung cancer leading to quitting smoking. As both partners were assessed at the same time it is not possible to say which person changed first, or whether they both changed together. Smoking and physical activity were reported by the participants themselves and not verified, so may not be accurate. Weight was measured by a nurse and was therefore more likely to be accurate. Behaviours were assessed only twice, either two or four years apart. If a person changed between those assessments but then reverted to their original behaviour this would not have been picked up, and it is not possible ...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Lifestyle/exercise Food/diet Source Type: news