Relationship of physical health status and health practices

This paper continues the analysis previously reported of physical health status in an adult population and its relationship to various independent variables. Data for the study were gathered by questionnaires completed by a probability-based sample of adult residents of Alameda County, California, in 1965. Physical health is measured along a spectrum ranging from severe disability to high energy level with absence of chronic conditions or symptoms. The “ridit” which places each individual along the spectrum can be averaged for comparison of groups, and can be adjusted for differences due to age and sex. This paper examines the relation between common health practices, including hours of sleep, regularity of meals, physical activity, smoking and drinking, and physical health status. Good practices are shown to be associated with positive health, and the relationship of these activities was cumulative; those who followed all of the good practices being in better health, even though older, than those who failed to do so. This association was found to be independent of age, sex, and economic status.