title: The effect of health behavior change on self-rated health across the adult life course: a longitudinal cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  While it is clear that health behaviors are related to self-rated health (SRH), it is less clear if maintaining positive behaviors, or improving, can protect SRH over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  SRH trajectories were modeled in a large representative Australian sample (n=7485 at baseline), of three age cohorts (20-24, 40-44 and 60-64 years at baseline; 1999, 2000 & 2001 respectively), over an 8 year period. Change in smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity on SRH trajectories were examined, controlling for demographic, physical and mental health factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SRH became poorer over time across the sample. Being a non-smoker was associated with more positive SRH levels across all groups. Maintaining or increasing moderate physical activity was associated with less decline in SRH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings highlight the benefits of positive health behaviors, particularly performing regular physical activity over time, for reducing the risk of subjective health becoming poorer across the adult life course.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health & Wellbeing, The Australian National University, Australia. Electronic address: Kerry.Sargent-Cox@anu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sargent-Cox
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health & Wellbeing, The Australian National University, Australia.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cherbuin
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health & Wellbeing, The Australian National University, Australia.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health & Wellbeing, The Australian National University, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Butterworth
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research on Ageing, Health & Wellbeing, The Australian National University, Australia.
authors.forename: Kaarin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Anstey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000639:trends*; D001315:Australia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D012907:Smoking / Q000639:trends*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Health behavior change; Longitudinal cohort study; Self-rated health