Associations of work-family conflicts with food habits and physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the relationship between family-work conflicts with food habits and physical activity, and whether the relationship is dependent on family structure and work-related factors.


METHODS
Cross-sectional postal surveys were carried out in 2001 and 2002 among employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland, aged 40-60 years (n = 5346, response rate 66%; for women 70% and for men 60%). Dependent variables in logistic regression analyses were nationally recommended food habits and physical activity. Independent variables were work-family conflicts and family-work conflicts. Covariates included age, marital status, number of children, occupational class, working hours, time travelling to work, and physical and mental work load.


RESULTS
Women reporting strong work-family conflicts were more likely to follow recommended food habits (odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals 1.49 (1.19-1.86)), but this relationship weakened when adjusting for work-related factors (OR 1.20 (0.93-1.55)). Women and men with strong family-work conflicts were less likely to report recommended food habits after adjusting for family structure and work-related factors (women OR 0.75 (0.61-0.92), men OR 0.57 (0.34-0.96)). Women and men with strong work-family conflicts were less likely to follow the recommended amount of physical activity (women OR 0.76 (0.60-0.96), men OR 0.54 (0.34-0.87)). Additionally, women with strong family-work conflicts were less likely to follow the recommended amount of physical activity (OR 0.77 (0.63-0.94)). Adjusting for family and work-related factors did not affect these associations.


CONCLUSIONS
Conflicts between paid work and family life are likely to constitute barriers for a physically active lifestyle and possibly also for healthy food habits. Improving the balance between work and family may provide a route for promoting health-related behaviours.
Roos
Eva
E
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland. eva.roos@helsinki.fi
Sarlio-Lähteenkorva
Sirpa
S
Lallukka
Tea
T
Lahelma
Eero
E
D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology