Association between allostatic load and health behaviours: a latent class approach. Issue 4 (30th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Forrester, Sarah N; Leoutsakos, Jeannie-Marie; Gallo, Joseph J; Thorpe, Roland J; Seeman, Teresa E
• Is Part Of: Journal of epidemiology and community health. Volume 73:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 340
• Page End: 345
• Publication Date: 2019-01-30
• Subjects: blood pressure -- clusters -- diet -- exercise -- health behaviour; Public health -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; 614.4
• DOI: 10.1136/jech-2018-211289
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-005X

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Allostatic load (AL) has been characterised in many ways throughout the literature; however, its relationship to health behaviours has only been studied in limited populations. We aimed to uncover qualitative patterns of biological indicators in AL and determine if those patterns were associated with certain health behaviours. Methods: We conducted latent class analysis using biological indicators from a multiethnic population. We fit latent class regression of class on health behaviours (smoking, poor diet, physical activity and alcohol use) to measure the association between each latent class of AL and each health behaviour. Results: Four classes, 'Metabolic+Cholesterol, 'Blood Pressure', 'Metabolic+Blood Pressure' and 'Low', were found in the sample. Latent class regression showed that physical activity and alcohol use were significantly associated with the 'Metabolic+Blood Pressure' class. Conclusion: Less physical activity was required to improve AL than was previously found. Low to moderate alcohol use was beneficial for lower AL. Implications of the amount of physical activity necessary to lower AL is discussed.