The stability of health-related behaviour clustering during mid-adulthood and the influence of social circumstances on health-related behaviour change.

Abstract

Evidence suggests that health-related behaviours (HRBs) cluster in mid-adulthood and are associated with social circumstances (i.e. economic circumstances, cultural norms, employment relations) at the same age. However, little is known about the level of stability in HRB cluster membership during mid-adulthood and how social circumstances in early mid-adulthood may influence movement between HRB clusters during mid-life. Data were taken from a British cohort born in 1958 (N\u202f=\u202f12,784), to examine the stability of membership of three HRB clusters: Risky , Moderate Smokers and Mainstream (the latter pattern consisting of more beneficial HRBs such as not smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, being physically active), between ages 33 and 42. The relationship between social circumstances at age 33 and movement between HRB clusters during mid-adulthood was also examined. HRB cluster membership was relatively stable during mid-adulthood, over 60% of the participants remained in the same cluster at both ages. However, there was considerable probability of movement from the Risky and Moderate Smokers clusters at age 33 to the Mainstream cluster at age 42. Members of the Risky cluster had a lower probability of transitioning to the Mainstream cluster (men\u202f=\u202f17%, women\u202f=\u202f9%, p\u202f<\u202f0.001) in comparison to the Moderate Smokers cluster (men\u202f=\u202f26%, women\u202f=\u202f27%, p\u202f<\u202f0.001). Social circumstances at age 33 did not influence change in HRB cluster membership between ages 33 and 42 (p\u202f>\u202f0.05). Movement from the Risky and Moderate Smokers cluster to the Mainstream cluster during mid-adulthood highlights improvements for most HRBs. Person-centred interventions are required to prevent persistent negative HRBs amongst Risky cluster members.