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: 05-26-2006
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:09pm
Thanks for the information!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:11pm
My dh is a Goldwater republican. He was against this war from the start, and has remained so. I know some people who were for it in the beginning, but I know many republicans, besides dh, who have been against it from the start. Current polls have 70% of Americans of the opinion that thw Iraq War was a mistake. Last I went to school, 70% was considered a majority.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:12pm
I suppose they will blame whoever caused their misfortune. If I get mugged in another country (hasn't happened yet, but it's one reason I'm staying out of Rio) I'll blame the muggers, not their government.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:13pm
Absolutely.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:15pm
It is called sanctions.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2006
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:16pm

Thanks for the reply! Definitly a good point even if it doesn't relate to politics.

That's definitly something we don't have, although, the cost of Vancouver Island be it either Tofino for surfing or Parksville for just lounging on the beach is quite nice in the summer time and can get up to 27C (not as nice as florida I know) but still nice enough to get a killer tan ;)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:17pm
My friend had a great time there, but we are still waiting for you to explain how Castro is a threat to the US.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:35pm
It must be a riff on the old "If you are not with us, you are against us." In this case, if you do not consider Fidel a mortal enemy, ready to slit the throats of innocent Americans, then you must be his lover.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:46pm
is it that you wont or that you cant explain how castro is a threat to the american way of life gthe way you keep asserting.
Jennie
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 06-06-2006 - 4:48pm
what are you reading........i dont believe i have said one word about how i would treat anyone - just that my family members have to date been smart enough to see thru this administration. so exactly how is it you think i am going to treat my family members?
Jennie

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