Health and life

Belloc and Breslow (1972), Belloc (1973) and Breslow and Enstrom (1980) examined the relationship between mortality rates and behaviour among 7000 people. They concluded from this correlational analysis that seven behaviours were related to health status. These behaviours were:
1 Sleeping 7–8 hours a day.
2 Having breakfast every day.
3 Not smoking.
4 Rarely eating between meals.
5 Being near or at prescribed weight.
6 Having moderate or no use of alcohol.
7 Taking regular exercise.
The sample was followed up over five-and-a-half and ten years in a prospective study and the authors reported that these seven behaviours were related to mortality. In addition, they suggested that for people aged over 75 who carried out all of these health behaviours, health was comparable to those aged 35–44 who followed less than three.
Health behaviours seem to be important in predicting mortality and the longevity of individuals. Health psychologists have therefore attempted to understand and predict health-related behaviours. Some of this research has used qualitative methods to explore and understand ‘lay theories’ and the ways in which people make sense of their health. Other research has used quantitative methods in order to describe and predict health behaviours.