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, 06-06-2006 - 2:34pm

Thanks, I am very happy living in the US and have never said anything to contrary.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:38pm
Well, the 2 year old wasn't a fashion designer, so why listen to her?
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:39pm

You knew I was going to pick the School of Americas?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:40pm

**Yawn**

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:42pm

Who listened to a 2 year old about fashion?


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:43pm

<>

"So you say but haven't said why or supported this claim with anything. Nope, nothing at all."

Why do dictators threaten democracy and our life? Are you saying they don't?
What else is there to support?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:46pm

Sure, your cronies are going to back you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:47pm
it would appear you have bought into the notion that democracy is the only way to live - sorry but that is not even close to reality. a democracy is not the only viable form of govenment, it just happens to be ours - and for some reason we have a little guy in office at the moment who believes he has the right to force it upon others - which in my mind goes completely against what democracy is - but that is another issue. so you really believe that our democracy and way of life is threatened by every dictator out there? please explain what threat castro is to us?
Jennie
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:48pm

Yes, I am saying they don't.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-03-2006
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 2:48pm
Sorry, I forgot the 0. 20 year old

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