Association between Social Network Characteristics and Lifestyle Behaviours in Adults at Risk of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

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.

Social networks and patterns of health risk behaviours over two decades: A multi-cohort study

“…Our findings are consistent with previous, mainly cross-sectional studies on the association between social networks and health risk behaviours [12,13,[15][16][17]20,[32][33][34]. Previous studies have shown, for example, that individuals who drink heavily report decreased levels of social activities, worse social anchorage and low contact frequency [32].…”

“…An association with physical inactivity has previously been reported for various measures of low social engagement, such as low social integration and a small number of friends and close network members [12,13,16,17,20]. Similarly, our results highlight the importance of social network size on physical activity, the strongest and most robust association observed in the present study.…”

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“…However, there may be more societally-related factors that may impact a person's health-related behavior besides high self-efficacy and the ability to make plans. For example, Bot et al [32] examined the impact of lifestyle behaviors and social networking on health outcomes in a sample of 50 participants at risk for cardiovascular or metabolic conditions, and 170 members of their social circles. The investigators concluded that those with close and densely packed relational circles were found to be more physically active.…”

Analysis of health, functioning and disability of rural inhabitants aged 60–80 living in south-eastern Poland – a cross sectional study

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