Active Lifestyle, Health and Perceived Well-Being

Sarah Flood, University of Minnesota
Deborah Carr, Rutgers University
Yoonjoo Lee, University of Maryland

This paper examines the association between “active life style” behaviors and physical health, measured with the widely-used self-rated health indicator (excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor), as well as symptoms of hypertension, pain, and perceived restedness. Physically active and social behaviors comprise an “active life style”. We also examine the impact of health behaviors on both general and momentary measures of well-being. Analyses are based on the 2006-2008 and 2010 waves of the American Time Use Survey (ATUS). Preliminary results suggest that physically active behaviors and travel are associated with better health, but sedentary activities are not. Social and volunteer activities are not associated with better health. Subsequent analyses will include controls for health in the previous 6 months to adjust for health-based selection into activities. This is the first study to examine the link between health behaviors and momentary aspects of well-being.