Relationship transitions and change in health behavior: A four-phase, twelve-year longitudinal study

Changes in 24-h Movement Behaviors During Relationship and Parenthood Transitions: A Compositional Data Analysis

There is scarcity of studies using device-based measures to examine how relationship and parenthood transitions modify 24-h movement behaviors. This study examined how the composition of 24-h movement behaviors changes during these life transitions. Young adults (n = 170, mean age 25.6 years, SD 0.6) from the Special Turku Coronary Risk Factor Intervention Project (STRIP) wore wrist-worn accelerometers for 1 week and completed questionnaire at ages 26 and 31 years. Participants were categorized by relationship status into single (16%), those transitioning from single to partnered (31%), partnered (47%), and separated (7%), and by parenthood status into non-parents (73%), new parents (19%), and parents (8%). Changes in daily movement behaviors, including sleep, sedentary behavior (SED), light physical activity (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), were examined using compositional linear mixed models. In general, LPA and MVPA decreased relative to sleep and SED (p = 0.007). Differences emerged between LPA and MVPA in relationship and parenthood groups (p for group × time interaction 0.008 and 0.001). Those transitioning to partnership decreased MVPA by 17 min/day, while partnered and separated individuals showed no notable MVPA change but decreased LPA by 14 and 43 min/day. Single individuals and non-parents decreased LPA and MVPA in similar proportions. New parents decreased MVPA by 20 min/day, while parents increased it by 19 min/day. Becoming first-time parent and starting relationship was associated with decline of MVPA. Our results suggest the importance of considering these life transitions and providing guidance for maintaining physical activity despite changes in life situations.

Longitudinal evidence of the influence of early life circumstances, family characteristics, social ties and psychological distress on healthy behaviours of Brazilian adults: The Pro-Saude cohort study

BACKGROUND

This study examined the influence of early life circumstances, family characteristics, social ties and psychological distress in adulthood on adult's health-related behaviours.

METHODS

A cohort study (Pro-Saúde Study) involving technical and administrative civil servants at university campuses in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil was conducted in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data from 2155 adults were collected at baseline (1999) and after a 13-year period (2012-13). Family characteristics at 12 years of age were assessed retrospectively in 1999. Gender, marital status, living situation, social support, social networks of relatives and psychological distress were also measured in 1999. Data collection in 2012-13 included information about marital status, social networks of relatives, cigarette smoking, fruit and vegetable consumption and physical exercise. A conceptual model testing the relationships between variables was assessed through structural equation modelling.

RESULTS

Female gender (β = 0.043), better social networks of relatives in 1999 (β = 0.053) and 2012-13 (β = 0.069) and low psychological distress (β = -0.048) directly predicted less smoking. Better social networks of relatives in 2012-13 was directly linked to higher consumption of fruits (β = 0.045) and vegetables (β = 0.051) and being physically active (β = 0.070). Low psychological distress directly predicted higher fruit consumption (β = -0.040). Family characteristics at 12 years-old, marital status and living with other people were linked indirectly with health behaviours through social networks, social support and psychological distress.

CONCLUSIONS

Adults with better early life family and social circumstances, and those who were married reported positive health behaviours through indirect pathways. Stronger social ties and lower psychological distress represented the pathways by which early life circumstances and relationship status influenced positive health behaviours.

Impact of parenthood on eating pathology in young adults

OBJECTIVE

Few studies investigated parenthood as a predictor of eating pathology in young adulthood. We studied the association between parenthood, in the first year after becoming a parent and beyond, and eating pathology. Furthermore, we examined whether moving in together with a partner affected this association.

METHOD

This study used data of four measurement waves from TRAILS (Tracking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey), a Dutch community cohort study (N = 2229) from preadolescence into young adulthood. The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS), a measure to assess eating pathology, was assessed at ages 22, 26, and 29. Risk for eating disorder was assessed at age 19. Pregnant participants were excluded.

RESULTS

Parenthood was not associated with an increase of eating pathology in the first year after becoming a parent and beyond. Instead, parents were more likely to report being free from eating pathology symptoms compared to childless individuals (OR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.11-3.84). Among those who reported experiencing at least one eating problem, parenthood was not associated with the number of eating problems. Moving in together with a partner did not alter the association between parenthood and eating problems and neither did this association differ between males and females.

DISCUSSION

Parenthood in young adulthood was associated with a decreased risk of having eating pathology.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

In this longitudinal study among young adults, parenthood was not associated with the development of eating pathology.

Marital status, marital transition and health behaviour and mental health outcomes among middle-aged and older adults in Thailand: A national longitudinal study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the longitudinal association between marital status, marital transition, mental ill-health, and health risk behaviours among middle-aged and older adults in Thailand.

METHODS

We analyzed prospective cohort data of participants 45 years and older from three consecutive waves in 2015, 2017, and in 2020 (analytic sample, n = 2863) of the Health, Aging and Retirement in Thailand (HART) study. Sociodemographic and health variables were assessed by self-report.

RESULTS

Being single was positively associated with current smoking among men and transitioning to widowed or divorced was associated with incident current smoking among women. Divorced or separated was positively associated with current alcohol use among men and transitioning to marriage was associated with incident alcohol use among women. Being single or widowed was positively associated with underweight and negatively associated with obesity among women. Men who were divorced, single, or widowed had higher odds of having depressive symptoms and among women, transitioning to being widowed or divorced or separated was associated with incident depressive symptoms. Among both men and women, being divorced, single or widowed were positively associated with poor quality of life/happiness, and among men being divorced, single or widowed was positively associated with loneliness, and among women, being single or widowed was positively associated with loneliness. Among men, being single was positively associated with having an emotional or psychiatric disorder.

CONCLUSION

We found among men and/or women that being unmarried was associated with several health risk behaviours and mental-ill health indicators.

Marital transitions during earlier adulthood and subsequent health and well-being in mid- to late-life among female nurses: An outcome-wide analysis

Comparing outcomes for individuals remaining married to those for single or divorced individuals might overstate the positive effects of the decision to marry, since marriage carries an inherent risk of divorce and its associated negative outcomes. While a growing literature has examined marital transitions, confounding by past marital history remains a concern and only a limited set of outcomes have been examined. To address these issues, this study examined incident first-time marriage and incident divorce/separation in relation to multiple subsequent physical health, health behavior, psychological distress, and psychosocial well-being outcomes in a large sample of female nurses in the U.S.. Data from the Nurses' Health Study II were studied (1993 to 2015/2017 questionnaire wave, Nmarriage analyses = 11,830, Ndivorce/separation analyses = 73,018, interquartile range of baseline age = 35 to 42 years). A set of regression models were used to regress each outcome on marital transition status, adjusting for a wide range of initial health and wellbeing status in addition to other covariates. Bonferroni correction was performed to account for multiple testing. Among the initially never married, those who became married had lower mortality (RR = 0.65, 95%CI = 0.50, 0.84), lower risks of cardiovascular diseases (e.g., RRstroke = 0.64, 95%CI = 0.50, 0.82), greater psychological wellbeing and less psychological distress (e.g., ßdepressive symptoms = -0.10, 95%CI = -0.15, -0.06). Among the initially married, those who became divorced/separated had lower social integration (β = -0.15, 95%CI = -0.19, -0.11), greater psychosocial distress (e.g., RRdepression = 1.23, 95%CI = 1.10, 1.37), and possibly greater risks of mortality, cardiovascular diseases, and smoking. Future research could study similar questions using data from more recent cohorts, examine potential mechanisms and heterogeneity, and also examine alternative social relationship types.

Perceptions of Weight Change Among Romantic Partners: Considering Body Image, Relationship Experiences, Gender, and Sexual Orientation

Romantic relationship experiences have been found to be relevant to body image and weight in adulthood. In this study, we investigated predictors of heterosexual, lesbian, and gay romantic partners' (N = 500, M_age = 29.3) perceptions of their own and their partners' weight at the beginning of their relationship and 4.8 years later, on average. Perceived changes in participants' own weight status was associated with greater body dissastisfaction and longer relationship length. Perceived changes in partners' weight status was associated with their partners' BMI, as well as relationship quality. We also found that gender was important in understanding some of these associations. Implications of weight perceptions for individuals' and their partners' health and well-being and the critical role of relationship quality are discussed in the context of the health regulation model.

Clustering of health behaviors among Japanese adults and their association with socio-demographics and happiness

Background

Scholars have associated happiness with health behaviors, which co-occur and exert synergistic effects. Therefore, identifying clusters of health behaviors and their effect on happiness can contribute to the development of strategies for promoting happiness and improving health behaviors.

Aim

This study aimed to examine clusters of health behaviors and their associations with socio-demographics and with happiness among Japanese adults.

Methods

This study used data from the Japanese Household Panel Survey and the Keio Household Panel Survey. Questionnaires were distributed to 4,993 households out of which 1,554 responses were analyzed (participants aged 27−65 years). The survey included health behaviors (alcohol consumption, smoking, vegetable and fruit consumption, breakfast-eating habits, and physical activities), happiness, and socio-demographics. Latent class analysis was conducted to identify the clusters, whereas latent regression was employed to investigate socio-demographics related to the clusters. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the relation between happiness and the clusters.

Results

Two health behavior clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (low substance use and good dietary habit; n = 817; 52.3%) and Cluster 2 (high alcohol, poor nutrition, and inactive; n = 737; 47.7%). Latent regression analysis indicated that all socio-demographics, barring socioeconomic status, were significantly associated with the clusters. The “low substance use and good dietary habit” cluster was significantly related with higher odds of happiness (odds ratio = 1.425, 95% confidence interval = 1.146−1.772, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

This study identified health behavior clusters among Japanese adults and established the association between the “low substance use and good dietary habit” cluster and high levels of happiness. However, the causality of the relationship between health behavior and happiness remains unclear, which highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Cohabitation and marriage during the transition between adolescence and emerging adulthood: A systematic review of changes in weight-related outcomes, diet and physical activity

•

Starting cohabitation and getting married were associated with increased BMI.

•

Findings were mixed for the effect of starting cohabitation/marriage on PA.

•

Limited evidence for the effect of starting cohabitation/marriage on diet.

Our aim was to systematically review the effect of cohabitation and marriage on physical activity, diet and weight-related outcomes during emerging adulthood. A systematic search of six electronic databases was conducted until July 2019 (PROSPERO:CRD42018106943). Prospective studies were included if data were presented for a weight-related outcome, physical activity, and/or diet among 15–35 years-old participants assessed pre- and post-cohabitation or marriage and compared to a consistently non-cohabiting/non-married (single) reference group. Following title/abstract screening, two reviewers independently screened full-text and assessed risk of bias. There were 11 studies that met inclusion criteria. Outcomes included: body mass index (BMI) only (n = 3), physical activity only (n = 4), diet only (n = 2), BMI and physical activity (n = 1), and all outcomes (n = 1). Cohabitation or marriage was associated with greater BMI increases compared to remaining single among both men and women. Three studies analysed separately cohabitation and marriage and 3 of 4 found that only marriage was associated with higher BMI. Compared to being consistently single, starting cohabitation or getting married were associated with decreased physical activity in 2 of 4 studies among men and 4 of 6 studies among women, with no differences between marriage and cohabitation. Of the three studies examining change in diet, two showed no difference between individuals beginning to cohabit compared to those remaining single; without gender differences. Starting cohabitation and getting married may be valuable targets for weight management interventions, but more studies are needed to investigate the effect of cohabitation and marriage on health behaviours.

The impact of life events and transitions on physical activity: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) is a fluctuating behavior and prone to change across the life course. Changes in PA may be particularly due to the experience of life events and transitions. For well-timed and successful PA interventions, it is important to understand when and why individuals take up or terminate PA.

OBJECTIVES

This scoping review aims to examine the extent, range, and nature of research on the impact of life events and transitions on PA and to summarize key findings.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Articles were included if they had been published in peer-reviewed journals between 1998 and 2020 and assessed the impact of at least one life event or transition on PA.

RESULTS

107 studies that assessed 72 distinct life events and transitions were included and summarized in ten categories. Events and transitions that are primarily associated with decreases in PA were starting cohabitation, getting married, pregnancy, evolving parenthood, and the transitions from kindergarten to primary school, from primary to secondary school, and from high school to college or into the labor market. Retirement was associated with increases in PA; yet, long-term trajectories across retirement indicated a subsequent drop in activity levels. Divorce was associated with no changes in PA. No trends could be identified for changing work conditions, quitting or losing a job, starting a new relationship, widowhood, moving, and diagnosis of illness.

CONCLUSION

Life events and transitions can be conceptualized as natural interventions that occur across the life course and that are oftentimes associated with changes in PA behavior. Our study indicates that, despite some emerging trends, similar events do not necessarily have similar impacts on PA across individuals. It also shows that the research landscape is characterized by a lack of conceptual clarity and by disparate methodologies, making it difficult to synthesize results across studies.

Factors Associated with Single-Use and Co-Use of Tobacco and Alcohol: A Multinomial Modeling Approach

Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are among the most important public health concerns not only in South Korea but also globally. This study identified the factors associated with single-use and co-use of tobacco and alcohol in Korean adults and provided more accurate estimates using a multinomial modeling approach. This study used the Korea Community Health Survey Data 2017, of which 205,336 respondents were selected as the sample for a multinomial logistic regression analysis. For the group that identified as only drinking monthly compared to the reference group, we found that the direction of the following factors was opposite to that of the results of the only currently smoking group: Age, marital status, educational level, monthly household income, occupation, obesity, self-rated health, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. For the currently smoking and drinking monthly group relative to the reference group, the overall direction was a mix of the results of only currently smoking and only drinking monthly. These findings support the development of policies that consider the risk of smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol simultaneously.