Abstract
ObjectivesIn this exploratory study we examined the associations between several social network characteristics and lifestyle behaviours in adults at increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, we explored whether similarities in lifestyle between individuals and their network members, or the level of social support perceived by these individuals, could explain these associations.MethodsFrom the control group of the Hoorn Prevention Study, participants with high and low educational attainment were approached for a structured interview between April and August 2010. Inclusion was stopped when fifty adults agreed to participate. Participants and a selection of their network members (e.g. spouses, best friends, neighbours, colleagues) completed a questionnaire on healthy lifestyle that included questions on fruit and vegetable intake, daily physical activity and leisure-time sedentary behaviour. We first examined associations between network characteristics and lifestyle using regression analyses. Second, we assessed associations between network characteristics and social support, social support and lifestyle, and compared the participants’ lifestyles to those of their network members using concordance correlation coefficients.ResultsFifty adults (50/83 x 100 = 62% response) and 170 of their network members (170/192 x 100 = 89% response) participated in the study. Individuals with more close-knit relationships, more friends who live nearby, and a larger and denser network showed higher levels of vegetable consumption and physical activity, and lower levels of sedentary behaviour. Perceived social norms or perceived support for behavioural change were not related to healthy lifestyle. Except for spousal concordance for vegetable intake, the lifestyle of individuals and their network members were not alike.ConclusionsStudy results suggest that adults with a larger and denser social network have a healthier lifestyle. Underlying mechanisms for these associations should be further explored, as the current results suggest a minimal role for social support and modelling by network members.
Highlights
Obesity, cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer can be prevented through a lifestyle with regular physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour and a balanced diet[1]
PLoS ONE 11(10): e0165041. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0165041. In this exploratory study we examined the associations between several social network characteristics and lifestyle behaviours in adults at increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases
Underlying mechanisms for these associations should be further explored, as the current results suggest a minimal role for social support and modelling by network members
Summary
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer can be prevented through a lifestyle with regular physical activity, low levels of sedentary behaviour and a balanced diet[1]. Sedentary behaviour, defined as any waking behaviour in a sitting or reclining position and a low energy expenditure[6], has been associated with all-cause mortality, independent of physical activity behaviour[7,8]. Despite these well-known benefits of a healthy lifestyle[9], adherence to guidelines for dietary intake and physical activity is limited[10]. Numerous interventions have been developed to improve lifestyle behaviours, especially for individuals at risk for type 2 diabetes and CVD. Most interventions have limited and often temporary effects [15,16,17,18]
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