Work is good for your health?
Find a Conversation
| 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

Pages
That's fine. And your entitled to your opinion, of course.
However, when you say to the OP: "since I've just read that you're only 20 years old, you're not even considered an adult yet." you implied that by the mere fact that she was 20, she was not considered an adult. There was no conveyance of opinion in that statement to her.
"Also, you stated in the beginning of your post that my opinions are "downright hilarious". Do you burst out laughing at everyone's opinions that you meet in real life? I'd get a pair of boxing gloves if I were you! "
hmm...nope, never said that - acctually what i said what that the thread itself was hilarious; I would never say someone's opinions are hilarious. I just think that you don't seem to back up your arguements, and sometimes its very frustrating.
In terms of you being an american citizen - having stuff that would only be in some peoples dreams; yes I guess certain things like electricity, freedoms etc would be a part of that if you come from certain 3rd world countries; but what do you have that i could never have considering I'm but a Canadian?
Jennie
Pages