THE INCIDENCE AND CORRELATES OF HEALTH-RELATED BEHAVIORAL-CHANGE IN A SMALL SCOTTISH COMMUNITY

This paper reports on a survey of health related behavioural change in a small Scottish town. Four types of behaviour were surveyed; smoking, alcohol use, dietary habits and exercise. The results indicate that for both smoking exercise behavioural change is very unstable. Cutting down or giving up alcohol was significantly associated with cessation of smoking in women but not in men. All dietary changes were strongly inter-related. Giving up smoking, taking exercise and eating more fibre were significantly associated with very good reported health. Sex, age and social class patterns in health-related changes were evident. © 1990 The Society of Public Health.