Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Healthy Habits Love Company

In changing habits to healthier behaviors, spousal support makes a big difference.

Exercise is better when you have a buddy. That’s the finding from a British study published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The investigators queried over 3,500 couples in 2000 and have followed up with them several times since. These middle-aged people were more likely to improve their health behaviors and increase their physical activity if their partners participated.

Seventy percent of men whose wives joined them at the gym or running on the road were able to increase their fitness, and 36 percent of women who partners joined them in a weight loss effort shed pounds. That’s compared to only 15 percent of women whose partners were not interested in weight loss and 26 percent of men who partners did not join them in exercise.

This shows how people can support their spouses in positive health habits. While the effect may be strongest for people who live together, recruiting a friend for walking or exercise class can also be a great way to maintain an active New Year’s resolution beyond the end of January.

Even non-human friends can help in this effort to increase activity and improve health habits. Previous studies have shown that people with dogs are more likely to walk every day, because the dog demands it.

[JAMA Internal Medicine, online January 19, 2015]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
5- 6 ratings
About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.