Association of factors with health behaviors in Thai adults

Abstract

Introduction: To study the associated factors of health behaviors in dietary, exercise and stress management.

Method: A cross - sectional study was design on the sample of 20 years old up population. Five hundredsubjects were systematic random sampling out to be interviewed. Statistical test was performedbased on odds ratio at 95% confidence level.

Result: Factors associated to dietary behaviors showed significant in non-labor work group (OR = 3.51),family with genetic diseases (OR = 2.46), individual illness (OR = 1.86), positive attitude and foodavailability at convenient store with OR of 1.66 and 2.38 respectively. In exercise behaviors, the highodds were found in unmarried status (OR = 2.35), family with genetic disease (OR = 1.15),individual illness (OR = 1.22), experience in exercise group activity (OR = 1.72), relative on friendpushing effort and exercise activity with friends with OR of 2.14 and 6.77 respectively. Associatedfactors to stress management were significant in female and family with no genetics disease withOR of 2.88 and 2.27 respectively. Supportive factors such as recreation places and relative or friendto listen were also found significant association with OR of 1.79 and 27.9 respectively.

Discussion and Conclusion: Each behavior had different associated factors. No single factor showed significant associated at thesame time to all three health behaviors. Therefore any health promotion activity must be consideredunder each health behavior and situation.

Key words: Factors associated to dietary behaviors, Factors associated to exercise behaviors, Factors associated tostress management