DURHAM, N.C., July 12 (UPI) -- Being a healthy role model can truly help a spouse to adopt a healthy lifestyle, according to researchers at Duke University in Durham, N.C.
When one spouse quits smoking or drinking, gets a cholesterol screening or rolls up a sleeve for a flu shot, the other spouse is more likely to follow suit, according to a study published in the journal Health Services Research.
"We consistently find that when one spouse improves his or her behavior, the other spouse is likely to do so as well," study co-author Tracy Falba, a visiting assistant professor at Duke's Center for Health Policy, Law and Management, said in a statement.
"It isn't clear which spouse drives the change, but it is clear that these things happen together."
However, the study found that a spouse's influence differed depending on the health behavior -- the sway of the positive role model was strongest when it came to smoking and drinking and weaker for things like getting more vigorous exercise and having a cholesterol test.
