The validity of self-rated health as a measure of health status among young military personnel: evidence from a cross-sectional survey

Christopher K Haddock; Walker SC Poston; Sara A Pyle; Robert C Klesges; Mark W Vander Weg; Alan Peterson; Margaret Debon

doi:10.1186/1477-7525-4-57

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The validity of self-rated health as a measure of health status among young military personnel: evidence from a cross-sectional survey

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The validity of self-rated health as a measure of health status among young military personnel: evidence from a cross-sectional survey

Christopher K Haddock, Walker SC Poston, Sara A Pyle, Robert C Klesges, Mark W Vander Weg, Alan Peterson and Margaret Debon

Health and quality of life outcomes, Vol.4(1), pp.57-57

08/29/2006

DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-4-57

PMCID: PMC1569825

PMID: 16939653

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Abstract

Background: Single item questions about self ratings of overall health status are widely used in both military and civilian surveys. Limited information is available to date that examines what relationships exist between self-rated health, health status and health related behaviors among relatively young, healthy individuals. Methods: The current study uses the population of active duty United States Air Force recruits (N = 31,108). Participants completed surveys that asked about health behaviors and health states and were rated their health on a continuum from poor to excellent. Results: Ratings of health were consistently lower for those who used tobacco (F = 241.7, p < .001), reported binge drinking (F = 69.0, p < .001), reported drinking and driving (F = 19.4, p < .001), reported taking health risks (F = 109.4, p < .001), were depressed (F = 256.1, p < .001) and were overweight (F = 39.5, p < .001). Conclusion: Given the consistent relationship between self-rated overall health and factors important to military health and fitness, self-rated health appears to be a valid measure of health status among young military troops.

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Title: Subtitle: The validity of self-rated health as a measure of health status among young military personnel: evidence from a cross-sectional survey
Creators: Christopher K Haddock - School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2411 Holmes Street, Room MC-M03, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
Walker SC Poston - School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2411 Holmes Street, Room MC-M03, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
Sara A Pyle - Departments of Preventive Medicine and Family Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA
Robert C Klesges - Department of Preventive Medicine, St. Jude's Hospital, 66 N. Pauline, Suite 633, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
Mark W Vander Weg - Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52241, USA
Alan Peterson - Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, 3939 Medical Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
Margaret Debon - Health Sciences Center, University of Tennessee, 5050 Poplar Avenue, Suite 1800, Memphis, TN 38157, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Health and quality of life outcomes, Vol.4(1), pp.57-57
DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-4-57
PMID: 16939653
PMCID: PMC1569825
NLM abbreviation: Health Qual Life Outcomes
ISSN: 1477-7525
eISSN: 1477-7525
Publisher: BioMed Central; London
Language: English
Date published: 08/29/2006
Academic Unit: Psychological and Brain Sciences; Injury Prevention Research Center; Community and Behavioral Health; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984064196202771

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