Work is good for your health?
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| Mon, 05-15-2006 - 5:25am |
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/healthnews.php?newsid=43421
Working Mothers Healthier Than Full-time Housewives
Main Category: Women's Health / OBGYN News
Article Date: 15 May 2006 - 1:00am (PDT)
According to new research carried out in Britain, working mothers enjoy better health than full-time housewives. Despite the stress working mothers face by holding down a job, dealing with childcare, housework and striving to keep the family happy.
It appears that working mothers, when compared to full-time housewives, are less likely to become overweight, have a better level of health and a healthier relationship. The study also found that single mothers experience worse health than working mothers who have a partner and children.
You can read about this study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
Team leader, Dr. Anne McMunn, University College London, said that women who combine work with children and marriage do seem to have better health than full-time housewives. Even though they may experience high levels of stress sometimes.
It is not a question of chicken-and-egg either. Dr. McMunn said it is the experience of work plus having a family that brings on the better health, not the fact that only healthier mothers decide to carry on working.
The researchers examined data on women born in 1946 from the Medical Research Council's National Study of Health and Development. The data registers their health from 1946 until they are 54. Women's health was examined, with the help of a questionnaire at the ages of 26 through to 54. Every decade, the questionnaire collects data on each woman's work history, whether she is/was married, has children, her height and weight.
The healthiest women were the ones who had all three of the following:
-- A Partner
-- Children
-- A job
Those reporting the worst health were stay-at-home mothers, followed by childless women and single mothers.
38% of stay-at-home mothers were obese when they reached their 50s, for working mothers the percentage was 23%.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today

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"I work in a hospital where many doctors come from Iraq and they and their families are thrilled the US came in."
Out of curiosity....Have any of them been to Iraq recently and been able to compare the before and after? About half of the families at my children's school originally came from Iraq or Iran. Nearly all of them were strongly opposed the invasion, though most moved away precisely because of Hussein and the fundamentalist government in Iran. Many go back to the middle east on a regular basis (at least once per year). The level of frustration with the US invasion is very high.
"About half of the families at my children's school originally came from Iraq or Iran. Nearly all of them were strongly opposed the invasion, though most moved away precisely because of Hussein and the fundamentalist government in Iran. Many go back to the middle east on a regular basis (at least once per year). The level of frustration with the US invasion is very high."
I didn't doubt you would come up with a response like that. And to think they call NYC the "melting pot".
Doesn't take away from the fact that I do hear first-hand about it and they are still in contact with their families that are living under this "awful regime".
Jennie
You really do not understand do you? There are plenty of evil dictatorships around the world. Some are much, much worse than Iraq under Saddam. But all that is really not the point. The point is why is it the business of the US to go and straighten it out? Also, if we went in there to help the poor, oppressed Iraqis, what does that all have to do with the "War on Terror"? You are absolutely not making any sense at all.
BTW, I have a close friend who spent a fair amount of time in Iraq in the time of Saddam.
"we are educated, intelligent women who have views and opinions on things, that few of us agree with your view does not make us cronies."
As am I. (Educated and intelligent who has views and opinions). But, some of you are bashing just because I don't agree with your POV's. Let me ask you, is there anyone else on this board who believes the invasion in Iraq was the right thing to do (even at the time)? Or were they all driven away?
"I didn't doubt you would come up with a response like that. And to think they call NYC the "melting pot"."
Why do I get the feeling that you doubt my experiences?? More than 10% of the population in Sweden is immigrant. Why would it surprise you that I know lots of immigrants since I am an immigrant myself?
"The point is why is it the business of the US to go and straighten it out?"
Should we wait until the world is filled with the likes of Hussein or should we stop it now before more of our people get blown to bits?
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