Impact of Relationship Status on Healthy Lifestyles in Australian Adults

Introduction

A recent article featured in PLoS ONE explored how relationship status influences healthy lifestyle choices among Australian adults. Non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, remain leading causes of death globally. These health issues are largely attributed to lifestyle choices such as diet, smoking, and exercise. While factors like age, sex, and education are known to affect lifestyle habits, there is limited research on the role of a partner in shaping these behaviors.

Survey Overview

To investigate the relationship status and its effects on healthy lifestyle habits, Australian researchers conducted a survey targeting individuals and couples aged 18 and older. They utilized the Queensland Social Survey, a computer-assisted telephone interview, to gather data on participants’ lifestyle habits between 2005 and 2014. The Active Australia Questionnaire was employed to assess exercise levels, categorizing those who engaged in less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week as insufficiently active. Additionally, the survey measured weekly television viewing time, daily fruit and vegetable intake, fast food consumption, and smoking and alcohol use. The findings were recently published in PLoS ONE.

Findings on Healthy Lifestyle by Relationship Status

The study revealed no significant correlation between exercise levels and relationship status, nor between the amount of television watched. However, individuals in relationships exhibited a greater likelihood of meeting the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables, consuming less fast food, and refraining from smoking or excessive drinking. Unfortunately, these individuals were also more likely to be overweight. When examining multiple lifestyle factors, the intake of fruits and vegetables did not significantly correlate with relationship status.

Long-Term Changes in Lifestyle Habits

Over time, both couples and singles showed an increase in overweight prevalence and television viewing. Singles maintained alcohol consumption within recommended limits, while couples reported higher fast food consumption and lower fruit and vegetable intake.

Significance of the Study

This long-term study provides valuable insights, contrasting with previous research that examined the effect of relationship status on lifestyle habits over shorter periods. By analyzing multiple factors simultaneously, the research highlights the complexity of lifestyle choices. Future studies should delve into the reasons behind the observed differences in lifestyle habits between individuals in relationships and those who are single. The findings underscore the importance of considering relationship status when designing health behavior interventions.

Author and References

Written by Monica Naatey-Ahumah, BSc.

References:
(1) Schoeppe, S., Vandelanotte, C., Rebar, A.L., Hayman, M., Duncan, M.J., & Alley, S.J. (2018). Do singles or couples live healthier lifestyles? Trends in Queensland between 2005-2014. PLoS One, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0192584.
(2) Non-communicable diseases. (2017, June). Retrieved March 07, 2018, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs355/en/