Work is good for your health?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Work is good for your health?
1599
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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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:09pm

She can speak for me on this issue.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:10pm

Right, a sense of security. If they can uncover a plot to blow up a subway car, I will give up a bit of freedom. Like I said, they are not concerned with me calling my mommy or making kissy noises on the phone to DH.

Did you also resist at the airports when they wanted to search you?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2003
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:11pm

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:11pm
You never know, DUBYA might!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:13pm

So I should just believe what you say?

Alrighty, then.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-1997
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:14pm
I wouldn't put it past him. Six thousand protocol experts at his fingertips, and he still shows up improperly equipped for the occasion.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-03-2003
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:14pm

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:20pm

Once again, you didn't answer the question.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:24pm

You can point the finger, but never a solution.

Sounds kind of like.........

a democrat.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
Tue, 05-30-2006 - 2:27pm

"You don't think the head of FEMA and his qualification have anything to do in how a natural disaster was handled?"

They mayor and governor had some power to make a terrible situation better for its people. Guiliani did a great job in NYC during 9/11.

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