title: Physical health status as a consequence of health practices.
abstract: The relationship between health practices and physical health status was examined in a sample of 542 adults. A sub-sample of these individuals were also studied prospectively. Strong relationships were found in the cross-sectional data. "Good" health practices were correlated with higher health status. The analysis of the prospective data collected 18 months after the first interview also revealed a strong relationship between previous health practices and subsequent physical health status. The relationship still obtains when previous health status is controlled.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012890:Sleep; D012907:Smoking