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Lifestyle and mental health
James E Rohrer1, J Rush Pierce, Claudia Blackburn
1Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA. windupwindows@aol.com
Preventive Medicine
|November 9, 2004
Summary
Healthy lifestyles, including physical activity and being married, are linked to better mental health. Conversely, obesity and smoking are associated with poorer mental health outcomes in adults.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Mental health is a critical component of overall well-being.
- Understanding the link between lifestyle factors and mental health is essential for community health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between various healthy lifestyle behaviors and self-rated mental health status.
- To identify specific demographic and behavioral factors correlated with good and poor mental health.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS).
- Data collected included lifestyle habits, demographic information, and self-perceived mental health from 621 adults in Amarillo, Texas.
Main Results:
- Positive associations were found between good mental health and physical activity, being male, and marital status.
- Factors associated with poor mental health included obesity, daily smoking, and being Hispanic or non-Hispanic White.
Conclusions:
- Interventions aimed at improving physical health risk factors may concurrently enhance community mental health.
- Public health programs should consider the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being.