Social and demographic factors predictive of change over seven years in CHD-related behaviours in men aged 18-49 years

It is possible that the relationship of social status to coronary heart dis ease is partly mediated through Ilea] th-related behaviours that have been found to relate to both social status and CHD. Changes in certain health-re lated behaviours are known to lead to changes in CHD incidence. What are th e characteristics or men who change or do not change these behaviours and t heir subsequent chances of CHD? This study aims to relate changes in men's CHD-related behaviours over a seven-year period to their social and demogra phic characteristics. A survey was carried out on a random sample of adults in Great Britain in 1 984-85 and the equivalent information was obtained again on those participa nts who were re-interviewed seven years later in 1991-92. Results are prese nted for the 582 men aged 18-34 and the 584 men aged 35-49 at the first int erview who were re-interviewed seven years later. Changes over the seven ye ars in smoking, saturated fat intake, alcohol consumption and exercise were related to social and demographic factors. The two age groups showed broadly similar patterns of behaviour. In both ag e groups, those who continued with or took up a low fat diet and/or exercis e were more likely to be in a higher social class, in employment, to live i n private housing and to have more educational qualifications. For the youn ger men only, those in private housing were more likely to reduce the amoun t they smoked. Other findings are also reported. The findings suggest that those people who are in less advantageous social and economic situations are less likely to change to a more healthy lifesty le and so should be a focus for health education.