Abstract

PURPOSE
This study attempted to understand health behaviors and analyze the association of the health behaviors with musculoskeletal diseases in adults.
METHOD
The subjects of this study were 6,946 adults aged between 20 and 65 who had participated in the 2001 National Health Nutrition Survey. The instrument was composed of Health Interview Survey (HIS), Health Behavior Survey (HBS) and Health Examination Survey (HES), which were used in the 2001 National Health Nutrition Survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS 10.1 by applying chi2 and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS
1. The present smoking rate was 46.5% and the present drinking rate was 81.2%. 2. Of the subjects, 22.7% were overweight (BMI> or =25), and 28.1% were exercising regularly. 3. Major factors affecting musculoskeletal diseases were low education, poor economic state, smoking, and BMI. Middle school graduates were 2.54 times more likely to have musculoskeletal diseases than college graduates. The risk was 1.83 times higher in indigent respondents than in affluent ones, and 1.43 times higher in smokers than in non-smokers.
CONCLUSION
Therefore, in order to reduce musculoskeletal diseases in adults, other various factors should be looked into, and public education about appropriate posture and exercise should be carried out in community. Additionally, concentrated intervention programs for patients with musculoskeletal diseases should be performed.

• Keywords: Health Behaviors;Musculoskeletal Diseases;