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The Alameda County Study:

A Systematic, Chronological Review


Jeff Housman and Steve Dorman

ABSTRACT

This study is a systematic review of the Alameda County study findings and their importance in establishing a link
between lifestyle and health outcomes. A systematic review of literature was performed and data indicating impor-
tant links between lifestyle and health were synthesized. Although initial studies focused on the associations be-
tween health outcomes and personal health habits known as the “Alameda 7,” subsequent studies focused on the
relationships between social variables, religiosity, several chronic health problems, and long-term health. Signifi-
cant findings during periodic assessments of the original 1965 cohort yielded strong support for a link between
lifestyle habits and long-term health outcomes. Additionally, social networks, religiosity, and several demographic
variables were found to be associated with chronic disease development.

INTRODUCTION Ways of Living Study, with Belloc making health status of groups of individuals,
In 1965, life expectancy reached a point major contributions to initial studies. Much weighted proportions were necessary.
at which quality, not merely existence, de- of the continued study of health behaviors Therefore, each group was classified by a
served attention.1 In an effort to discover occurred at the Human Population Labo- ridit, or Relative to an Identified Distribu-
the effect of personal health habits on qual- ratory in Berkeley, California. tion, allowing feasible and meaningful
ity of life, chronic conditions, and mortal- In an attempt to assess the effects of comparisons between groups.
ity, several researchers in California devel- health habits and social relationships on Belloc and colleagues1 published the ini-
oped the Human Population Laboratory. physical and mental health, Belloc and col- tial set of findings from the 1965 Alameda
The group of researchers decided on a de- leagues1 obtained information from 6,928 cohort. Self-reported disability data re-
sign to measure select health practices respondents in Alameda county. The prob- vealed fewer men were disabled than
among a probability sample of the popula- ability sample included 3,158 men and women, but the proportion of chronic dis-
tion of Alameda County in California. The 3,770 women. The sample included 360 eases was nearly equal. Occurrence of dis-
participants answered initial survey ques- men and 530 women over the age of 65. ability and chronic disease increased with
tions concerning their lifestyle habits in This sample would become known as the
1965 with subsequent collections taking 1965 Alameda cohort. Each participant an-
place in 1973, 1985, 1988, 1994, and 1999. swered surveys regarding marital and life Jeff Housman, MEd, is a graduate assistant,
satisfaction, parenting, physical activities, Texas A&M University Department of Health
DEVELOPMENT OF THE “ALAMEDA 7” employment, childhood experiences, and and Kinesiology, TAMU Mail Stop 4243, Col-
The 1965 panel, known as the Health demographic data. In addition, partici- lege Station, TX 77843; E-mail: jhousman@
and Ways of Living panel, included Lester pants were asked to report levels of disabil- hlkn.tamu.edu. Steve Dorman, PhD, MPH, is
Breslow, Nedra Belloc, and George A. ity “without complaints,” “symptomatic,” chair and professor, Texas A&M University De-
Kaplan. Breslow and Kaplan became the “chronic conditions,” “disability-less,” and partment of Health and Kinesiology, TAMU
principal investigators of the Health and “disability-severe.” To summarize physical Mail Stop 4243, College Station, TX 77843-4243.

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Jeff Housman and Steve Dorman

age, and high-energy levels were found received adequate sleep (7–8 hours), main- examined the “Alameda 7” health habits and
mostly in younger groups. In an overall tained a healthy weight for their height, did mortality. The results supported the hy-
comparison between groups, men were not smoke, limited alcohol consumption, pothesis that good health practices and not
healthier than women, younger people (45 and participated in regular physical activity the initial health status of the survey respon-
years or less) were healthier than older lived longer than those who did not practice dents are largely responsible for the ob-
people (over 45 years), and individuals with these behaviors. These seven healthy behav- served mortality rates. Although no health
inadequate income were less healthy than iors would become known as the “Alameda practice behaviors had been measured in
individuals with adequate income. Further- 7.” In a final analysis, men and women prac- five years, it was assumed that most indi-
more, those who were employed were ticing six of the seven health behaviors lived viduals were consistent with regard to
healthier than those who were unemployed 11 and 7 years longer, respectively, than those health practices. In a similar follow-up
or retired. White and black persons were practicing fewer than 6 health behaviors. study, Wiley and colleagues6 found signifi-
equally healthy, but Chinese and Japanese Belloc3 concluded that there was a striking cant correlations between the “Alameda 7”
individuals displayed a favorable status not inverse correlation between the number of health behaviors and positive health out-
related to age, sex, or income. Persons with health practices and mortality levels for comes.
higher education levels were healthier than older age groups. Roberts and colleagues7 used data from
those with less education, and separated These initial studies provided data indi- the 1965 cohort to specifically differentiate
persons were less healthy than those who cating a relationship between personal health practices based on ethnicity. The
were married. Several of these health dis- health habits (Alameda 7) and health out- health practices of Anglo, African-Ameri-
parities including educational level and comes. Additionally, data indicated health can or African, and Chicano people were
marital status continue today. disparities based on demographic variables compared within the 1965 Alameda cohort.
Belloc and colleagues2 published a fol- including socioeconomic status, ethnicity, Age, sex, family income, education, marital
low-up study that examined the relation- age, and educational level. Analyses of sub- status, perceived health status, and physical
ship between physical health status and sequent data collections in 1973, 1985, 1988, health status were assessed. In general,
health practices. Using data from the 1965 1994, and 1999 would continue to support Chicanos reported less disability, fewer
Alameda cohort, Belloc and colleagues2 the conclusions. Additional studies would chronic conditions, and fewer symptoms of
examined nightly hours of sleeping, regu- expand on these findings to determine links ailments. However, in contrast to other eth-
larity of meals, physical activity, alcohol between social interactions, religiosity, obe- nic groups, higher levels of severe mortal-
consumption, and smoking. Additional sity, and other chronic conditions. ity were found among Chicano women.
analyses were performed to determine if Overall, Chicanos health practices and con-
these health behaviors had independent or FOLLOW-UP STUDIES ditions compared favorably to Anglos and
cumulative effects on health outcomes. The In an attempt to further establish under- people of African descent. Furthermore, the
results revealed that sleeping seven to eight standing of the relationship between health data analyses supported previous hypoth-
hours per night, eating regular meals, par- behaviors and quality of life, Gottleib and eses that good health practices were associ-
ticipating in regular exercise, limiting alco- colleagues 4 examined the “Alameda 7” ated with a longer and better quality of life.
hol consumption, and not smoking were health behaviors, life events, and social net- Using a multivariate analysis of the seven
highly correlated with healthier individu- works. Data from the 1965 Alameda cohort health behaviors and seven demographic
als. In contrast to previous studies, socio- were analyzed in an attempt to correlate variables identified by previous Human
economic status was found to have no as- income, educational level, age, five health Population Laboratory studies, Wingard
sociation with health. Further data analyses practices, social networks, and life events. and colleagues8 converted nine-year mor-
suggested a cumulative effect of these be- Although some of the analyses were incon- tality rates and health practice ridits into
haviors. This study provided initial empiri- clusive, there was a positive relationship logits (log odds units). By converting the
cal support for the link between lifestyle and between social networks and health prac- previous ridit scores to logits, researchers
health outcomes. tices for both men and women. Further- were able to make linear comparisons. In
In a 5-1/2 year follow up of the 1965 more, church participation and marriage nearly all age groups and health practice
Alameda cohort, Belloc3 investigated the re- were positively correlated with health out- groups, five of seven health behaviors were
lationship between health practices and comes. These findings supported the belief significant and independently associated
mortality. Health practices included sleep, that social networks and certain elements with mortality. In contrast to previous stud-
weight, smoking, eating, alcohol consump- of spirituality were associated with long- ies, eating breakfast and snacking between
tion, physical activity, and other health prac- term health outcomes. meals had no substantial association with
tices. Analysis of results revealed that those In a 9-1/2 year follow up of the 1965 mortality. The linear model supported pre-
who ate regular meals including breakfast, Alameda cohort, Breslow and colleagues5 vious findings, indicating regular exercise,

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Jeff Housman and Steve Dorman

limited alcohol consumption, abstinence to death due to other causes. Overall mor- graphic characteristics. Although some vari-
from smoking, sleeping 7–8 hours a night, tality rates were highest among women ables were defined slightly differently, the
and maintenance of a healthy weight play with low educational levels, and low house- author reported results regarding the
an important role in promoting longevity hold income was associated with higher “Alameda 7” health behaviors. Simple
and delaying illness and death. cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, low prevalence statistics, unadjusted for age or
Mortality, behavioral, and demographic socioeconomic status in early and later life other sociodemographic characteristics,
risk factors among older people (over 65 contributed to an increased mortality risk were used in the analysis. Results of the sur-
years) in the 1965 Alameda cohort were in women. These effects were stronger for vey revealed 12 percent of men and 11 per-
examined in 1987. Kaplan and colleagues9 cardiovascular mortality than non-cardio- cent of women practiced six or seven good
reexamined health practices of the older vascular mortality. health habits, more than half of both men
people (>65 years of age) in the 1965 co- From 1979 to 2004, continued analyses and women reported 4 or 5 “good health”
hort and compared current levels of health of subsequent data collections from the habits, and 37 percent of men and 33 per-
practices and demographic factors to 1965 cohort continued to support the hy- cent of women reported 0 to 3 “good
baseline data. Results indicated many be- pothesis that the “Alameda 7” health behav- health” habits. Men were more likely to
havioral and demographic risk factors re- iors are strongly associated with long-term smoke, consume alcohol, and exercise than
mained predictors of seventeen-year mor- health outcomes. Although recent studies women. Younger people (18–44 years)
tality risk, even at older ages. In a have found no significant correlations be- were more likely to skip breakfast, snack
multivariate analysis of the “Alameda 7” tween not eating breakfast or snacking be- between meals, and drink alcohol than
health behaviors, Kaplan and colleagues9 tween meals and health outcomes, the re- older persons (over 45 years). Caucasians
found strong negative associations between maining five have consistently been shown were more likely to eat breakfast, sleep 7–
the “Alameda 7” health behaviors and can- to be associated with good health. 8 hours, and drink five or more drinks at
cer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high one sitting than African-Americans. Addi-
blood pressure, and trouble breathing. Eth- RELATED STUDIES tionally, persons in socially and economi-
nic disparities in mortality risk decreased Several researchers attempted to deter- cally disadvantaged groups were less likely
with age, and eating breakfast was more mine the generalizability of the Alameda to have “good health” habits. Persons in
strongly associated with positive health out- county study findings using regional and older groups were more likely to have a
comes in older groups. This study provided national samples. Brock and colleagues12 at- greater number of “good health” habits,
evidence that the relationship between tempted to replicate the Alameda longitudi- and African-Americans tended to have
health practices and mortality was consis- nal study in Michigan. A statewide sample fewer “good health” habits than Cauca-
tent over time. of 3,259 adult Michigan residents were sur- sians. These results showed disparities
In the most recent studies concerning veyed regarding their health practices via among social, economic, ethnic, and age
the “Alameda 7” health behaviors and mor- telephone. Consistent relationships were groups with regard to health practices.
tality, Strawbridge and colleagues10 and found between physical health status and The results of these studies supported
Beebe-Dimmer and colleagues11 examined individual health practices, including sleep previous findings using data from the 1965
self-rated health and disease burden fac- patterns, eating breakfast, eating between Alameda cohort. Positive correlations were
tors during childhood, and the association meals, smoking, weight, and physical activ- found between the “Alameda 7” health be-
between socioeconomic and mortality ity. However, some of the findings, such as haviors and positive health outcomes. Ad-
among adults in the 1965 Alameda cohort, sleeping 7–8 hours, eating breakfast and eat- ditionally, similar disparities were found
respectively. Strawbridge and colleagues10 ing between meals, were not found to be sta- based on ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic
tested the hypothesis that personal health tistically significant. Although not all health status, and educational level. These studies
behaviors could not predict mortality. Af- practices were significant, the results dem- indicated the generalizability of the
ter current conditions of the 1965 Alameda onstrated the generalizability of the Alameda Alameda county study findings, and further
cohort were discovered and analyzed, re- county study. established personal health practices as
searchers concluded mortality could not be In an effort to identify prevalence of the major factors in long-term health.
predicted by health behaviors alone. How- “Alameda 7” health practices nationwide, In addition to establishing the link
ever, personal health practices were still the Schoenborn13 reported results from the between personal health practices and
largest predictor of mortality. Beebe-Dim- 1985 National Health Interview Survey health outcomes, researchers have attempted
mer and colleagues 11 concluded lower (NHIS). Questions from the NHIS asked a to determine the relationship between so-
childhood socioeconomic status was asso- nationwide sample about their exercise hab- cial interactions, religiosity, depression,
ciated with an increased mortality due to its, eating habits, sleeping habits, alcohol obesity, hearing and vision loss, and other
cardiovascular disease, but was unrelated consumption, body weight, and demo- chronic conditions.

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SOCIAL/MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS between never smoking cigarettes and regu- nomic status, chronic conditions, disabil-
Several follow-up studies involving the lar physical activity. More moderate effects ity, body mass index, alcohol consumption,
1965 cohort focused on the relationships were found for men. In support of these smoking, and social relations, authors re-
among marriage, social interactions, and findings, Strawbridge and colleagues19 con- vealed that physical activity was protective
mortality. Kotler and colleagues14 concluded cluded that those reporting weekly religious for both prevalent and incident depression.
marital status is associated with health out- attendance were more likely to improve Using data collected in 1995 and 1999, Rob-
comes. Married individuals, especially men, poor health behaviors and maintain good erts and colleagues25 investigated the recip-
had lower mortality risk than single indi- health behaviors. Weekly religious atten- rocal effect of depression on obesity. Results
viduals, and divorced or separated individu- dance was also associated with good men- indicated obesity in 1995 was associated
als had highest risk. Data analyses per- tal health and social relationships. Again, the with an increased risk for depression in
formed by Reynolds and colleagues 15 relationship was stronger among women. 1999, but depression did not increase the
indicated a negative relationship between risk for future obesity.
social connections, incidence of mortality, DEPRESSION AND OBESITY
and prognosis of cancer. Although this Several researchers have attempted to HEARING AND VISION LOSS
study was limited by the complexity of the determine the relationship between health Research suggests hearing and vision loss
variables involved, the relationship between status and psychological disorders. After is increasingly common among older per-
social connections and reduced risk for can- reviewing data from the 1965 Alameda co- sons and is negatively associated with well-
cer was found significant. In addition, Yen hort, Roberts and colleagues20 concluded being.26 Using data collected in 1994 and
and colleagues16 indicated lower-quality there was no evidence to suggest that de- 1999, researchers assessed the impact of
social environments were associated with an pression is associated with an increase in all- hearing and vision loss on subsequent dis-
increased risk of death during an eleven- cause mortality. In contrast, Camacho and ability, physical functioning, mental health,
year follow up. The association remained colleagues21 stated that men and women and social functioning.27 Both hearing and
after adjustments for age, sex, income, edu- with low activity levels at baseline were at a vision loss had significant negative impacts
cation, race/ethnicity, smoking, body mass significantly greater risk for depression at on quality of life. Specifically, physical func-
index, alcohol consumption, and perceived the 20-year follow-up than those who re- tioning and social interaction abilities were
health status were made. ported high activity levels. Yen and col- greatly impaired. Although this study sup-
leagues22 indicated that residence in a pov- ported previous findings,28 little was known
RELIGIOSITY erty area was associated with declining about the effects of hearing loss on one’s
In addition to studies tracking specific perceived health, but risk for developing spouse.
health behaviors of the Alameda cohort, high levels of depressive symptoms was not Wallhagen and colleagues29 investigated
several authors have examined social, eco- significantly different for those not living the relationship between a spouse’s hearing
nomic, and psychological factors related to in a poverty area. loss and his or her partner’s physical, psy-
health practices. Strawbridge and col- The most recent studies regarding de- chological, and social well-being. Using data
leagues17 and Oman and colleagues18 stud- pression focused on the relationships be- collected in 1994 and 1999, researchers con-
ied religious attendance (weekly, monthly, tween physical activity, obesity, and depres- cluded that a husband’s hearing loss greatly
yearly, never) and its association with mor- sion. Using data collected from the 1965 increased the likelihood of subsequent de-
tality and survival. Using data collections cohort in 1994 and 1995, Roberts and col- creases in physical, psychological, and so-
from 1965, 1973, 1985, 1988, and 1994, re- leagues23 indicated mixed results regarding cial well-being in their spouses. The rela-
searchers examined spirituality, religion, the relationship between obesity and de- tionship between wives’ hearing loss and
and mortality. Results of these studies in- pression. Researchers indicated greater odds husbands’ subsequent decreases in well-
dicated high levels of religious involvement for depression in obese individuals in 1994, being was weaker, but significant.
are associated with lower rates of death by and obesity in 1994 predicted depression in
specific causes including circulatory dis- 1995. Although the results of the prospec- SLEEP DISTURBANCE
eases, digestive diseases, respiratory diseases, tive analyses were not significant, the results Sleep problems are relatively common
and all causes combined. Additionally, wide suggested an association between obesity among older persons and may have a sig-
ranges of other chronic diseases were in- and depression. nificant negative impact on well-being.30
versely correlated with attendance of a reli- Strawbridge and colleagues24 used data Roberts and colleagues31 analyzed data col-
gious event (weekly, monthly, yearly, never). from 1994 and 1999 to access the relation- lected in 1995 and 1999 from the 1965
Results indicated that for women the pro- ship between physical activity and depres- cohort to assess the prevalence of sleep com-
tective effect of weekly attendance at a reli- sion in older adults (50 to 94 years). After plaints and the relationship between sleep
gious event was strong and fell roughly adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, socioeco- problems and health outcomes. Insomnia

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was reported by 23.4% of participants in tional level, and long-term health outcomes, indicate declining rates of smoking and use
1994 and incidence of insomnia and hyper- quality of life, and mortality. Initial find- of other tobacco products since 1983.37
somnia (too much sleep) increased with ings of the Alameda county study along Mixed results are seen in other areas, such
age. Women reported greater sleep distur- with subsequent studies form the basis for as physical activity and nutrition. For ex-
bance and insomnia was strongly correlated much of what we know and practice in ample, recent studies regarding programs
with chronic disease. Recently, Strawbridge health education and promotion. This work such as the coordinated approach to child
and colleagues32 investigated the impact of has firmly established lifestyle as a major health (CATCH) indicate improvement in
a spouse’s sleep problems on his or her part- determinant of health outcomes in the eating habits and physical activity level in
ner. Data collected in 1999 from the 1965 United States and reinforces the beliefs of some school-aged children 38. However,
cohort were analyzed to determine the ef- health professionals that healthy behaviors 77.4% of adults report consuming fewer
fects on spousal sleep disturbance on part- are necessary in maintenance and improve- than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables
ners’ physical health, mental health, well- ment of health status. Breslow, a principal daily,39 and 73.7% of adults do not meet
being, social involvement, and marital investigator of the Alameda county study, recommendation for physical activity.40 Re-
quality. Although associations between stated: cent data indicate that the incidence of obe-
sleep disturbance and one’s own health out- sity continues to rise in all age groups,41 and
“A step beyond treatment and even the
comes were stronger, spousal sleep prob- insufficient sleep is becoming more com-
prevention of disease is coming onto the
lems were associated with a partner’s poor mon with adults, who are averaging 6.9
health agenda: health promotion or the
health, depression, unhappiness with social hours per night.42
advancement of well-being and the
relationships, and unhappy marriages. Other variables related to long-term
avoidance of health risks by achieving
health such as demographic variables (e.g.,
CHRONIC DISEASES the optimal levels of the behavioral, so-
age, gender, etc.), social networks, and spiri-
cietal, environmental and biomedical
Some of the most recent findings from tuality have not been fully addressed.
determinants of health. Health promo-
the 1965 cohort have provided further evi- Buchanan43 suggests it is our social sur-
tion is aimed at maintaining the level of
dence for the relationship between chronic roundings that impact us most. Therefore,
health and, insofar as possible, strength-
diseases and the “Alameda 7” health behav- healthy individuals will develop from a so-
ening the potential resources for
iors. Seavey and colleagues33 examined risk ciety that values health. It may be the lack
health.”36
factors associated with self-reported arthri- of societal value placed on preventative
tis symptoms in a 20-year follow-up. Au- Studies using data from the 1965 cohort health behaviors that encourages negative
thors found significant associations be- since these comments by Breslow continue health practices. Efforts forged by health
tween arthritis and age (>45 years of age), to support healthy behaviors as a preventa- professionals to raise awareness of health
BMI, sex (female), and depressive symp- tive factor in long term health outcomes. issues have been successful in some areas
toms. Physical activity was found to have Further data analyses over the past 5 years (i.e., cancer screenings), but have had lim-
protective effects on development of arthri- have expanded our knowledge of the origi- ited impact in others (i.e., regular exercise,
tis. Kotz and colleagues34 investigated the nal ‘Alameda 7’ and have shown the impact fruit and vegetable consumption).43 In the
effect of osteoporosis on physical and men- of social interactions, elements of spiritu- future it will be necessary for health pro-
tal outcomes in the 1965 cohort. Partici- ality, hearing/vision loss, and sleep distur- fessionals to advocate for healthier policies,
pants with osteoporosis were more likely to bance on health outcomes. and to bring greater awareness of healthy
report frailty, difficulty with balance, weak- Health promotion as a profession con- behaviors to the general public.
ness, fair/poor perceived health, and not tinues to develop and expand as findings As researchers continue to discover rela-
enjoying free time. Research suggests frailty from the Alameda county study reinforce tionships between lifestyle and health out-
and weakness are associated with reduced lifestyle as a determinant in long-term comes, it is imperative that health promot-
physical activity, poorer mental health, and health. Health professionals continue to fo- ers and other health professionals focus on
lower quality of life.35 cus on these health behaviors, including the the most pressing issues. Obesity, physical
“Alameda 7.” Other variables identified as inactivity, poor dietary habits, and insuffi-
CONCLUSION being associated with a healthy lifestyle, cient sleep are becoming more prevalent.
Although the last data collection of the such as social, spiritual, and demographic The relationships among diet, exercise, and
1965 Alameda cohort occurred in 1999, variables have begun to receive greater at- body weight are well established, and results
additional current analyses continue to pro- tention. Although efforts of health promot- from several recent studies suggest inad-
vide supporting results indicating a link ers and other health professionals have im- equate sleep as a factor in an unhealthy body
between personal health behaviors, social pacted some behaviors, other negative weight. With fewer than half of Americans
interactions, socioeconomic status, educa- health behaviors remain prevalent. Surveys reporting sufficient sleep,44 the relationship

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Jeff Housman and Steve Dorman

between sleep and body weight may be vi- tivariate analysis of health-related practices. Am 22. Yen I, Kaplan G. Poverty area residence
tal to solving the obesity problem in the J Epidemiol. 1982; 116 (5): 765-775. and changes in depression and perceived health
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