The Berne-Munich Lifestyle Panel. Background and baseline results from a longitudinal health lifestyle survey.

Abstract

The Berne-Munich Lifestyle Panel (BMLP) studies health relevant lifestyles among some 2000 adults in Switzerland and Germany. This paper introduces the theoretical background and empirical concept of the BMLP. Sociological theory provided the guidelines for the development of an empirical model that measures structures and dynamics of health lifestyles. Health lifestyles are explained as the product of the complex interplay between health related behaviours, orientations and social resources. Residents of Berne (Switzerland) and Munich (Germany) in the age between 55 and 65 years were contacted in 12 months periods and interviewed by telephone (CATI). The questionnaire comprised some 200 questions on selected aspects of health lifestyles and health status. Interviews were conducted in two waves in Munich (1996 and 1997) and three waves in Berne (1996/97/98). The paper reports findings from baseline data analysis and explores cultural differentiations with respect to the distribution of 1. health relevant behaviours, orientations and social resources, 2. triggers of lifestyle change (life events), 3. mediating factors (Health Locus of Control, Sense of Coherence). Initial results from the search for patterns of health behaviours are also reported. The findings show considerable differences but also impressive similarities in health lifestyle elements across the two samples. There is also preliminary evidence for meaningful patterns of health behaviours in the cohort under investigation. Moreover, the findings clearly demonstrate the need for a gender specific approach in the analysis of cultural differences in health behaviours and lifestyles.