Optimism predicts sustained vigorous physical activity in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Optimism and cynical hostility are associated with health behaviors and health outcomes, including morbidity and mortality. This analysis assesses their association with longitudinal vigorous physical activity (PA) in postmenopausal women of the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). Subjects include 73,485 women nationwide without history of cancer or cardiovascular disease (CVD), and no missing baseline optimism, cynical hostility, or PA data. The Life Orientation Test-Revised Scale measured optimism. A Cook Medley questionnaire subscale measured cynical hostility. Scale scores were divided into quartiles. Vigorous PA three times or more per week was assessed via self-report at study baseline (1994–1998) and through follow-up year 6. Descriptive analysis mapped lifetime trajectories of vigorous PA (recalled at ages 18, 25, 50; prospectively assessed at baseline, and 3 and 6 years later). Hierarchical generalized linear mixed models examined the prospective association between optimism, cynical hostility, and vigorous PA over 6 years. Models adjusted for baseline sociodemographic variables, psychosocial characteristics, and health conditions and behaviors. Vigorous PA rates were highest for most optimistic women, but fell for all women by approximately 60% between age 50 and study baseline. In adjusted models from baseline through year 6, most vs. least optimistic women were 15% more likely to exercise vigorously (p < 0.001). Cynical hostility was not associated with lower odds of longitudinal vigorous PA after adjustment. Results did not differ by race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status. Higher optimism is associated with maintaining vigorous PA over time in post-menopausal women, and may protect women's health over the lifespan.

Mental Health and Religiosity in the Sardinian Blue Zone: Life Satisfaction and Optimism for Aging Well

“…There is evidence that successful aging is favored by dispositional optimism, that is to say, a personality trait reflecting the attitude that beneficial events will happen or that the future will be favorable thanks to the control of crucial factors (Scheier & Carver, 1985 ). In this regard, it has been found that higher levels of optimism occur with healthier physical habits (e.g., regular physical activity, healthy diet, greater therapeutic adherence), which, in turn, reduce the risk of chronic pathologies and increase life expectancy (Boehm et al, 2018 ; Progovac et al, 2017 ; Steptoe et al, 2006 ). Following this, a longitudinal study conducted with physically and cognitively intact Americans that at baseline were over 50 years old documented that after controlling for sociodemographic factors and depression, the most optimistic participants (i.e., top quartile) had a 24% increased likelihood of becoming healthy older individuals (i.e., those displaying reduced risk of cognitive and physical deterioration) over 6–8 years of follow-up (Kim et al, 2019 ).…”

Optimism and Healthy Aging in Women and Men

“…Although mechanisms that explain the potential health benefits of optimism have not yet been clearly defined, optimism might operate through health behaviors, altered biologic functioning, or potentially other factors. For example, individuals with higher optimism appear to be more proactive in taking care of their health and engaging in favorable behaviors (e.g., healthier diets, less smoking, and more physical activity) (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)50). That said, associations between optimism and healthy aging were only modestly attenuated after adjusting for important health behaviors in our sample.…”

“…Although optimism is approximately 23%-32% heritable (8,9) and is shaped by social, structural (e.g., socioeconomic status), and life-course factors (10,11), randomized controlled trials suggest that it might be modified using a variety of methods that range from writing exercises (e.g., writing a list of items for which one is grateful) to classroom-based modules that focus on cognitive-behavioral strategies (12)(13)(14). Further, optimism has been associated with healthier behaviors (e.g., physical activity, healthy diet, not smoking, medication adherence) (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) and healthier biologic functioning (e.g., lower inflammation and higher antioxidants levels) (20)(21)(22), which in turn reduce risk of chronic conditions (23,24). Finally, a previous study among 33,326 women from the Nurses' Health Study found that the most (top quartile) versus least (bottom quartile) optimistic women had 23% greater odds of healthy aging 8 years later, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and depression (25).…”

Association of Optimism With Cardiovascular Events and All-Cause Mortality

“…For instance, among participants in the Women’s Health Initiative, greater optimism was associated with both better diet quality 34 and a greater likelihood of sustaining physical exercise over time. 35…”