Child psychological well-being and adult health behavior and body mass index.

Abstract

Objective: Psychological well-being (PWB) is linked with health behaviors among adults, but it is unclear if childhood PWB prospectively predicts healthy adulthood biobehavioral profiles. Such evidence may identify developmental windows for establishing positive health trajectories across the lifespan. Using data spanning 30 years, we investigated whether PWB at age 11 was associated with health behaviors and body mass index (BMI) at ages 33 and 42. We hypothesized children with higher versus lower PWB would engage in healthier behaviors, have lower BMI in adulthood, and be more likely to maintain optimal levels over time. Method: Data were from 4,728 participants of the 1958 National Child Development Study. At age 11, participants wrote an essay about how they imagined their lives at age 25. Two judges rated each essay for multiple facets of PWB, which were combined into a summary score (Cronbach's α = .91). At ages 33 and 42, participants reported on cigarette smoking, physical activity, and diet; BMI was also assessed. Regression models evaluated PWB's association with adult outcomes at each follow-up, and with patterns over time. Results: Child PWB was unassociated with smoking in adulthood. However, greater child PWB was associated with healthier adult physical activity, diet, and BMI when adjusting for sex. Child PWB was associated with the likelihood of maintaining optimal BMI in adulthood, but not with maintaining healthy behaviors. Some associations were not independent of other childhood covariates. Conclusions: Early life lays the foundation for lifelong health. Childhood PWB may contribute to healthier behaviors and BMI in adulthood.

Positive affect during adolescence and health and well-being in adulthood: An outcome-wide longitudinal approach

“…For example, consistent with past research which focused on adolescents and adults, we observed that “incident” positive affect was associated with some higher psychological well-being outcomes (e.g., sense of control and optimism) and better mental health outcomes (e.g., lower likelihood of/scores: negative affect, depression diagnosis, anxiety diagnosis, perceived stress) [ 33 ]. Also aligned with some past research we observed null associations (e.g., no associations with: smoking) [ 14 ]. However, our results also diverge with results from past research.…”

“…However, our results also diverge with results from past research. For example, contrary to prior research which observed associations with some health behaviors [14,17,18], we did not observe associations with some health behaviors (e.g., not: smoking, binge drinking). We also did not observe associations with some physical health outcomes (e.g., healthier: BMI and composite biomarker scores) that past studies observed [14][15][16].…”

“…mental health outcomes (e.g., lower likelihood of/scores: negative affect, depression diagnosis, anxiety diagnosis, perceived stress) [33]. Also aligned with some past research we observed null associations (e.g., no associations with: smoking) [14]. However, our results also diverge with results from past research.…”

“…However, evidence for associations with health behaviors are mixed. For example, positive affect has been linked with improved health behaviors (e.g., higher physical activity, healthier diets, not smoking, lower composite health behaviors index scores composed of factors like: physical inactivity, fast food consumption, binge drinking, smoking) [ 14 , 17 , 18 ], but there have also been interesting null results (e.g., no associations with: smoking, maintaining physical activity or becoming physically active, maintaining health diets, sleep duration) [ 14 , 19 ].…”

“…For example, in adolescents, positive affect and psychological well-being composite scores (composed of elements such as positive affect, life satisfaction, purpose in life, optimism, etc.) have been linked with decreased risk of poor health outcomes (e.g., healthier cardiometabolic profiles, healthier BMI) [14][15][16]. However, evidence for associations with health behaviors are mixed.…”