Stability of Health Behavior Patterns in Midlife: A Follow-Up Study

This study examined subgroups of adults with specific health behavior patterns, their stability over a ۵-year period, and the role of sociodemographic and personality characteristics in these patterns in Iran. Methods: Data on smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity at ages ۴۲, ۵۰, and ۶۱ were collected from the Tehran Social Development and Personality Longitudinal Study (n=۲۰۵–۳۰۲). Latent class analysis, latent transition analysis, and logistic regression were employed. Results: Four similar classes of health behaviors were identified at each age. One class, labeled low alcohol consumption (AC) – high physical activity (PA), comprised individuals with the lowest alcohol intake and highest physical activity levels, while another class, labeled high AC – low PA, showed the opposite pattern. Classes between these two extremes included non-smokers with the lowest proportion of smokers and smokers with the inverse pattern. Although transitions between classes occurred, class membership was relatively stable. Women who were married, had higher educational attainment, held higher occupational status, and exhibited specific personality traits at age ۴۲ were more likely, compared to women with stable membership in the high AC – low PA class, to consistently belong to healthier classes. Conclusion: Health behaviors exist as identifiable patterns, remain relatively stable throughout adulthood, and are associated with sociodemographic and personality characteristics

کلیدواژه ها:

Stability ، Behavior Pattern ، Midlife