Summary: | <strong>Objective:</strong> To examine job stress and health behaviors, including their co-occurrence, in Australians aged 31 to 41 year assessed in 2009 to 2011. <strong>Methods:</strong> Cross-sectional analyses using multivariable regression models of the association between the Effort Reward Imbalance (ERI) scale and health behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, and body mass index [BMI]) both individually and co-occurring (0 to 3 vs 4 to 5 behaviors) were undertaken. Covariates included sociodemographics, personality, and life events. <strong>Results:</strong> Greater ERI was associated with a significantly lower prevalence of having co-occurring healthy behaviors and poorer diets in both sexes. Higher ERI was also associated greater physical inactivity and sedentary behavior in men and smoking, high alcohol consumption, and more pedometer-measured physical activity in women. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Job stress at work was associated with a range of unhealthy behaviors, which may explain the higher chronic disease associated with job stress.
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