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

doi:10.1186/1477-7525-4-57

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Volume 4

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Haddock CK
Poston WS
Pyle SA
Klesges RC
Vander Weg MW
Peterson A
Debon M

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Poston WS
Pyle SA
Klesges RC
Vander Weg MW
Peterson A
Debon M
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Research

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

Christopher K Haddock¹ , Walker SC Poston¹ , Sara A Pyle² , Robert C Klesges³ , Mark W Vander Weg⁴ , Alan Peterson⁵ and Margaret Debon⁶

¹School of Medicine, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2411 Holmes Street, Room MC-M03, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA

²Departments of Preventive Medicine and Family Medicine, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, 1750 Independence Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64106, USA

³Department of Preventive Medicine, St. Jude's Hospital, 66 N. Pauline, Suite 633, Memphis, TN 38163, USA

⁴Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52241, USA

⁵Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Sciences Center, 3939 Medical Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA

⁶Health Sciences Center, University of Tennessee, 5050 Poplar Avenue, Suite 1800, Memphis, TN 38157, USA

author email corresponding author email

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 2006, 4:57doi:10.1186/1477-7525-4-57


Published:	29 August 2006

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.