Optimism, dietary habits, body mass index and smoking among young Finnish adults
Abstract
The association between optimism and health habits was evaluated among 31-year-old men and women (n=8690) born in Northern Finland in 1966. Both women and men above the upper quartile for optimism more often ate fresh vegetables and salads (women 76%/men 57%), berries (23%/9%), fruit (67%/42%), low-fat cheese (25%/16%) and salad dressing (15%/17%) than those below the lower quartile (56%/31%, 14%/5%, 52%/26%, 18%/10% and 10%/5%, respectively) with women in higher proportion than in men in each case. Pessimism was associated with infrequent consumption of foods rich in fiber and salad dressing and the proportions of high consumers of alcohol. Proportion of subjects with BMI of 30.0 kg/m2 and above and that of current smokers were higher among the pessimists than among the optimists. Thus lack of optimism is associated with a cluster of unhealthy dietary and other habits. This may at least partly explain the positive association of optimism with health found in previous studies.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Online diabetes self-management interventions have small but statistically significant effects on HbA1c, diet, and lipids, but do not consistently improve depression symptoms.
“In a meta-analysis, Pal and colleagues[30] found that online diabetes self-management interventions have a small, but statistically significant, effects on HbA1c, diet, and lipids, but do not consistently improve depression symptoms.”
From An online positive affect skills intervention reduces depression in adults with type 2 diabetes (2014) · cites this paper as [30]
Cites
Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioral change
Bandura, A. (1977) · Psychological Review · doi:10.1037/0033-295x.84.2.191 · Cited by 43,925 · see citing works
Obesity : Preventing and managing the global epidemic
Akram, D. S., Astrup, A. V., Atinmo, T., Boissin, J.-L., Bray, G. A., Carroll, K. N., Chitson, P., Chen, C., Dietz, W. H., Hill, J. O., et al. (2000) · Research at the University of Copenhagen (University of Copenhagen) · Cited by 12,945 · see citing works
Illusion and well‐being: A social psychological perspective on mental health
Taylor, S. E., & Brown, J. D. (1988) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.103.2.193 · Cited by 7,814 · see citing works
Scheier, M. F., Carver, C. S., & Bridges, M. W. (1994) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.67.6.1063 · Cited by 7,456 · see citing works
Optimism, coping, and health: Assessment and implications of generalized outcome expectancies.
Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (1985) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.4.3.219 · Cited by 6,690 · see citing works
Stressful life events, personality, and health: An inquiry into hardiness.
Kobasa, S. C. (1979) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.37.1.1 · Cited by 3,816 · see citing works
Stressful life events, personality, and health: An inquiry into hardiness.
Kobasa, S. C. O. (1979) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.37.1.1 · Cited by 2,654 · see citing works
Optimism is associated with mood, coping, and immune change in response to stress.
Segerstrom, S. C., Taylor, S. E., Kemeny, M. E., & Fahey, J. L. (1998) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.74.6.1646 · Cited by 527 · see citing works
Peterson, C., Seligman, M. E. P., & Vaillant, G. E. (1988) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.55.1.23 · Cited by 475 · see citing works
Social Class and Psychological Distress
Kessler, R. C., & Cleary, P. D. (1980) · American Sociological Review · doi:10.2307/2095178 · Cited by 465 · see citing works
Peterson, C., Seligman, M. E. P., & Vaillant, G. E. (1988) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.55.1.23 · Cited by 439 · see citing works
The Development of a Sense of Coherence and Its Impact on Responses to Stress Situations
Antonovsky, H. F., & Sagy, S. (1986) · The Journal of Social Psychology · doi:10.1080/19401183.1986.12461516 · Cited by 427 · see citing works
Kubzansky, L. D., Sparrow, D., Vokonas, P., & Kawachi, I. (2001) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/00006842-200111000-00009 · Cited by 400 · see citing works
Groups at risk in low birth weight infants and perinatal mortality.
Rantakallio, P. T. (1969) · PubMed · Cited by 384 · see citing works
The longitudinal study of the Northern Finland birth cohort of 1966
Rantakallio, P. T. (1988) · Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology · doi:10.1111/j.1365-3016.1988.tb00180.x · Cited by 373 · see citing works
Smith, T. W., Pope, M. K., Rhodewalt, F. T., & Poulton, J. L. (1989) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.56.4.640 · Cited by 372 · see citing works
Räikkönen, K., Matthews, K. A., Flory, J. D., Owens, J. F., & Gump, B. B. (1999) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.76.1.104 · Cited by 288 · see citing works
Smith, T. W., Pope, M. K., Rhodewalt, F. T., et al. (1989) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.56.4.640 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Achat, H. M., Kawachi, I. I., Spiro, A., DeMolles, D. A., & Sparrow, D. (2000) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/bf02895776 · Cited by 231 · see citing works
Chang, E. (1998) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/s0191-8869(98)00028-2 · Cited by 220 · see citing works
Brissette, I., Scheier, M. F., & Carver, C. S. (2002) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.82.1.102 · Cited by 210 · see citing works
Relapse crises and coping among dieters.
Grilo, C. M., Shiffman, S., & Wing, R. R. (1989) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.57.4.488 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
Efficacy attribution, locus of control, and weight loss
Chambliss, C., & Murray, E. J. (1979) · Cognitive Therapy and Research · doi:10.1007/bf01184448 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Predictors of abdominal obesity among 31-y-old men and women born in Northern Finland in 1966
Laitinen, J. H., Pietiläinen, K. H., Wadsworth, M. E. J., Sovio, U., & Järvelin, M. (2003) · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601765 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Self-citationRelapse crises and coping among dieters.
Grilo, C. M., Shiffman, S. S., & Wing, R. R. (1989) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.57.4.488 · Cited by 125 · see citing works
Effects of future writing and optimism on health behaviors in HIV-infected women
Mann, T. L. (2001) · Annals of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1207/s15324796abm2301_5 · Cited by 98 · see citing works
Catanzaro, S. J., Wasch, H. H., Kirsch, I., & Mearns, J. (2000) · Journal of Personality · doi:10.1111/1467-6494.00115 · Cited by 97 · see citing works
COGNITIVE BIAS OF OPTIMISM AND ITS INFLUENCE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING
SCHWEIZER, K. W., Beck-Seyffer, A., & Schneider, R. (1999) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.1999.84.2.627 · Cited by 75 · see citing works
Social and Developmental Predictors of Optimism from Infancy to Early Adulthood
Ek, E., Remes, J., & Sovio, U. (2004) · Social Indicators Research · doi:10.1023/b:soci.0000033591.80716.07 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Self-citationSperduto, W. A., Thompson, H. S., & O'Brien, R. M. (1986) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/0306-4603(86)90060-2 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Stability of Optimism and Choice of Coping Strategy
Billingsley, K. D., Waehler, C. A., & Hardin, S. I. (1993) · Perceptual and Motor Skills · doi:10.2466/pms.1993.76.1.91 · Cited by 53 · see citing works
The 1997 Dietary Survey of Finnish adults
Valsta, L. M. (1998) · STM:n Hallinnonalan avoin julkaisuarkisto (Julkari) · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Nirkko, O., Lauroma, M., SILTANEN, P., Tuominen, H., & Vanhala, K. (1982) · Acta Medica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/j.0954-6820.1982.tb00369.x · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Control of eating and attributional style
Ogden, J., & Wardle, J. (1990) · British Journal of Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.2044-8260.1990.tb00912.x · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Task Force 5: Interventions to prevent relapse.
Brownell, K. D., Glynn, T. J., Glasgow, R. E., Lando, H. A., & al, E. (1986) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.5.suppl.53 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Interventions to prevent relapse.
Brownell, K. D., Glynn, T. J., Glasgow, R. E., Lando, H. A., Rand, C., Gottlieb, A., & Pinney, J. M. (1986) · PubMed · Cited by 18 · see citing works
DO SEX AND PERCEPTION OF IMMEDIATE STRESS AFFECT OPTIMISM?
Durm, M. W. (2000) · Psychological Reports · doi:10.2466/pr0.2000.86.2.373 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Boehm, J. K., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2012) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/a0027448 · Cited by 909 · see citing works
Wen, M., Hawkley, L. C., & Cacioppo, J. T. (2006) · Social Science & Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.06.025 · Cited by 480 · see citing works
Positive Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Disease
Kubzansky, L. D., Huffman, J. C., Boehm, J. K., Hernandez, R., Kim, E. S., Koga, H. K., Feig, E. H., Lloyd-Jones, D. M., Seligman, M. E. P., & Labarthe, D. R. (2018) · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.07.042 · Cited by 429 · see citing works
“Findings are more equivocal for a healthy BMI, with protective associations suggested by crosssectional studies but inconsistent results from prospective studies (39,40).”
BackgroundResultFruit and Vegetable Intake and Mental Health in Adults: A Systematic Review
Głąbska, D., Guzek, D., Groele, B., & Gutkowska, K. (2020) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu12010115 · Cited by 414 · see citing works
“[93] Food frequency questionnaire with 32 food items Frequency of consumption Vegetables including salads Dispositional optimism Life Orientation Test (LOT-R)”
BackgroundInfluentialPsychological Well-Being and Physical Health: Associations, Mechanisms, and Future Directions
Hernandez, R., Bassett, S. M., Boughton, S. W., Schuette, S. A., Shiu, E. W., & Moskowitz, J. T. (2018) · Emotion Review · doi:10.1177/1754073917697824 · Cited by 259 · see citing works
“Using factor analysis on Cantril’s SelfAnchoring Scale and Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being, Keyes et al. (2002) identified two correlated latent factors reflecting eudaimonic and hedonic aspects. Specifically, the first factor included features of autonomy, purpose in life, personal growth, positive relation…”
MethodOrthorexia nervosa: Assessment and correlates with gender, BMI, and personality
Oberle, C. D., Samaghabadi, R. O., & Hughes, E. M. (2016) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2016.10.021 · Cited by 252 · see citing works
Lifestyle and dietary correlates of dispositional optimism in men: The Zutphen Elderly Study
Giltay, E. J., Geleijnse, J. M., Zitman, F. G., Buijsse, B., & Kromhout, D. (2007) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2007.07.014 · Cited by 197 · see citing works
“Second, nonsmokers were more optimistic than smokers, which is in accordance with previous data [17,18,27].”
BackgroundResultAn online positive affect skills intervention reduces depression in adults with type 2 diabetes
Cohn, M. A., Pietrucha, M. E., Saslow, L. R., Hult, J. R., & Moskowitz, J. T. (2014) · The Journal of Positive Psychology · doi:10.1080/17439760.2014.920410 · Cited by 188 · see citing works
“In observational studies, positive affect is associated with an increased likelihood of physical activity[4,5,6,7] and healthy eating[5,8], as well as a lower”
BackgroundBoehm, J. K., Chen, Y., Koga, H., Mathur, M. B., Vie, L. L., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2018) · Circulation Research · doi:10.1161/circresaha.117.310828 · Cited by 194 · see citing works
Conner, T. S., Brookie, K. L., Richardson, A. C., & Polak, M. (2014) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjhp.12113 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Positive psychological attributes and cardiac outcomes: associations, mechanisms, and interventions
DuBois, C. M., Beach, S. R., Kashdan, T. B., Nyer, M. B., Park, E. R., Celano, C. M., & Huffman, J. C. (2012) · Psychosomatics · doi:10.1016/j.psym.2012.04.004 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
“In a study performed in Finland, the proportion of current smokers was lower among optimistic men and women, and individuals with greater optimism were likely to be categorized as having no lifetime smoking history.(41) A final study found that middle school students with greater optimism reported less frequent use of…”
BackgroundDevelopment of a positive psychology intervention for patients with acute cardiovascular disease
Huffman, J. C., Mastromauro, C. A., Boehm, J. K., Seabrook, R., Fricchione, G. L., Denninger, J. W., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2011) · Heart International · doi:10.4081/hi.2011.e14 · Cited by 148 · see citing works
Rooney, C., McKinley, M. C., & Woodside, J. V. (2013) · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · doi:10.1017/s0029665113003388 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
“To a much lesser extent, some CS studies have also shown that FV consumption is associated with more positive aspects of psychological well-being including happiness((79)), life satisfaction((80,81)), optimism((82)) and selfesteem((83)).”
BackgroundChanges in Optimism Are Associated With Changes in Health Over Time Among Older Adults
Chopik, W. J., Kim, E. S., & Smith, J. (2015) · Social Psychological and Personality Science · doi:10.1177/1948550615590199 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Development of the State Optimism Measure
Millstein, R. A., Chung, W., Hoeppner, B. B., Boehm, J. K., Legler, S. R., Mastromauro, C. A., & Huffman, J. C. (2019) · General Hospital Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.04.002 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
“Many studies have demonstrated that optimism is associated with greater adherence to health behaviors, including healthy diet [13, 27], physical activity [19, 28], medication adherence [29], and reduced smoking [6].”
BackgroundHuffman, J. C., Millstein, R. A., Mastromauro, C. A., Moore, S. V., Celano, C. M., Bedoya, C. A., Suarez, L., Boehm, J. K., & Januzzi, J. L. (2016) · Journal of Happiness Studies · doi:10.1007/s10902-015-9681-1 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
“Patients recently hospitalized for an ACS may have significant functional limitations, transportation challenges, or insufficient time to attend in-person visits (Chiu and Wray 2011; Lawton et al. 2005; Khoza and Kortenbout 1995).”
Carriedo, A., Estrada, J. A. C., Fernández‐Río, J., & Mendez‐Giménez, A. (2020) · Mental health and physical activity · doi:10.1016/j.mhpa.2020.100361 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Association Between Optimism and Serum Antioxidants in the Midlife in the United States Study
Boehm, J. K., Williams, D. R., Rimm, E. B., Ryff, C., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2013) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0b013e31827c08a9 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Health-Related Quality of Life in Children and Adolescents: Subjective Well Being
Gaspar, T., Ribeiro, J. L. P., de Matos, M. G., Leal, I. M. P., & Ferreira, A. I. (2012) · The Spanish Journal of Psychology · doi:10.5209/rev_sjop.2012.v15.n1.37306 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Boehm, J. K., Soo, J., Zevon, E. S., Chen, Y., Kim, E. S., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2018) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/hea0000643 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
“Following prior work in this area (Kelloniemi et al., 2005), sociodemographic characteristics, baseline health status (including psychological distress), and other health behaviors were included as potential confounders of the hypothesized associations.”
BackgroundHajek, A., & König, H. (2019) · British Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjhp.12367 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
The Promise of Well-Being Interventions for Improving Health Risk Behaviors
Boehm, J. K., Vie, L. L., & Kubzansky, L. (2012) · Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports · doi:10.1007/s12170-012-0273-x · Cited by 74 · see citing works
“In a cross-sectional study of more than 8000 Finnish adults, individuals with the greatest optimism reported eating fewer sweets but more fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products [19].”
BackgroundThe prospective association between positive psychological well-being and diabetes
Boehm, J. K., Trudel-Fitzgerald, C., Kivimaki, M., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2015) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/hea0000200 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Relation Between Optimism and Lipids in Midlife
Boehm, J. K., Williams, D. R., Rimm, E. B., Ryff, C. D., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2013) · The American Journal of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.01.292 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
A randomized trial of an optimism training intervention in patients with heart disease
Mohammadi, N., Aghayousefi, A., Nikrahan, G. R., Adams, C. N., Alipour, A., Sadeghi, M., Roohafza, H., Celano, C. M., & Huffman, J. C. (2017) · General Hospital Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2017.12.004 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Optimism and Cardiovascular Health: Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
Hernandez, R., Kershaw, K. N., Siddique, J., Boehm, J. K., Kubzansky, L. D., Diez-Roux, A., Ning, H., & Lloyd-Jones, D. M. (2015) · Health Behavior and Policy Review · doi:10.14485/hbpr.2.1.6 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Chen, T. (2010) · Information Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.ins.2010.10.005 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
(2010) · Choice Reviews Online · doi:10.5860/choice.48-0567 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Serlachius, A. S., Pulkki-Råbäck, L., Elovainio, M. J., Hintsanen, M., Mikkilä, V., Laitinen, T. T., Jokela, M. M., Rosenström, T. H., Josefsson, K., Juonala, M., et al. (2015) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2015.1041394 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
“Several cross-sectional studies have found optimism to be related to non-smoking status, eating a healthier diet and greater physical activity (Kelloniemi et al., 2005; Steptoe, Wright, Kunz-Ebrecht, & Iliffe, 2006b) – factors which promote ideal Psychology & Health 1233”
BackgroundChen, T. (2010) · Expert Systems with Applications · doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2010.04.064 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Positive Psychological Functioning and the Biology of Health
Kubzansky, L. D., Boehm, J. K., & Segerstrom, S. C. (2015) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12224 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Boehm, J. K. (2021) · Social and Personality Psychology Compass · doi:10.1111/spc3.12599 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
“Although cross‐sectional associations between well‐being and cigarette smoking are evident (e.g., Kelloniemi et al., 2005; Morimoto et al., 2018), longitudinal associations have not been reliably confirmed.”
BackgroundSeppälä, T., Hankonen, N. E., Korkiakangas, E. E., Ruusuvuori, J., & Laitinen, J. H. (2017) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4574-3 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
“Although emotions [37, 38], optimism [39, 40], and identity [41] have all been found to be associated with health behaviours, they were only identified in one or two papers.”
BackgroundSelf-citationLifestyle Adjustments in Long-COVID Management: Potential Benefits of Plant-Based Diets
Storz, M. A. (2021) · Current Nutrition Reports · doi:10.1007/s13668-021-00369-x · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Huffman, J. C., DuBois, C. M., Mastromauro, C. A., Moore, S. V., Suarez, L., & Park, E. R. (2016) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105314544135 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
“, 2006), and with healthy diet in younger adults (Kelloniemi et al., 2005) and postmenopausal women (Tinker et al.”
BackgroundInfluentialHuffman, J. C., Albanese, A. M., Campbell, K. A., Celano, C. M., Millstein, R. A., Mastromauro, C. A., Healy, B. C., Chung, W., Januzzi, J. L., Collins, L. M., et al. (2017) · Clinical Trials · doi:10.1177/1740774516673365 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
Non, A. L., Román, J. C., Clausing, E. S., Gilman, S. E., Loucks, E. B., Buka, S. L., Appleton, A. A., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2020) · International Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s12529-020-09849-w · Cited by 37 · see citing works
“Studies consistently suggest that adults with high levels of optimism are more likely to engage in health behavior-related behaviors, including healthier diets, healthier body mass index (BMI), higher rates of physical activity, and are less likely to smoke [9, 10].”
BackgroundOptimism and risk of incident hypertension: a target for primordial prevention
Kubzansky, L., Boehm, J. K., Allen, A. R., Vie, L. L., Ho, T. E., Trudel-Fitzgerald, C., Koga, H. K., Scheier, L., & Seligman, M. (2020) · Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences · doi:10.1017/s2045796020000621 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“Numerous studies indicate optimists are more likely to have healthier diets, exercise more and obtain adequate sleep (Kelloniemi et al., 2005; Steptoe et al., 2006; Trudel-Fitzgerald et al., 2019), while less likely to engage in behaviours that jeopardise health, like excess alcohol consumption or smoking (Carvajal et…”
BackgroundHajek, A., Bock, J., & König, H. (2017) · Cancer Medicine · doi:10.1002/cam4.1226 · Cited by 32 · see citing works
“It was suggested that optimistic individuals are more likely to adopt as well as maintain positive health behaviors [20, 57].”
BackgroundHernandez, R., González, H. M., Tarraf, W., Moskowitz, J. T., Carnethon, M. R., Gallo, L. C., Penedo, F. J., Isasi, C. R., Ruiz, J. M., Arguelles, W., et al. (2018) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019434 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
A review of the literature on wellbeing and modifiable dementia risk factors
Willroth, E. C., Pfund, G. N., Rule, P. D., Hill, P. L., John, A., Kyle, K., Hassenstab, J. J., & James, B. D. (2024) · Ageing Research Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.arr.2024.102380 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“…purpose have each been associated with more persistence in engaging with health-adaptive behaviors, greater avoidance of unhealthy habits, and the ability to persist in goal-directed behaviors (Carvajal et al., 2000; Kelloniemi et al., 2005; Kim et al., 2020; Morimoto et al., 2018; Steptoe, 2019).”
BackgroundMutt, S. J., Jokelainen, J. J., Sebert, S. P., AUVINEN, J. P., Järvelin, M., Keinanen-Kiukaanniemi, S. M., & Herzig, K. (2019) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu11061229 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Although we did not have a detailed food record for our cohort, based on a published dietary survey of 8960 subjects born in 1966 in the same region, roughly one fourth of the cohort had a regular fish intake [34].”
Leung, A. K. ‐., Chong, M., Fernandez, T. M., & Ng, S. T. (2023) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2023.106496 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
Carvey, C. E., Farina, E. K., & Lieberman, H. R. (2012) · BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine · doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-182 · Cited by 31 · see citing works
“Individuals with healthier lifestyles are more likely to have an optimistic cognitive bias compared to those with less healthy behaviors [20], and thus may be predisposed to believe DS are efficacious and safe.”
BackgroundOptimism and cardiovascular health among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study
Sims, M., Glover, L. M., Norwood, A. F., Jordan, C., Min, Y.-I., Brewer, L. C., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2019) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2019.105826 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
“, 2007) diet (Kelloniemi et al., 2005), and smoking (Niemec et al.”
BackgroundLiu, L., Xu, X. Y., Wu, H. L., Yang, Y., & Wang, L. (2015) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1349-6 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“For instance, the proportion of current smokers was higher among the pessimists than among the optimists in young Finnish adults [27].”
BackgroundResultOptimism, pessimism and bias in self‐reported body weight among older adults
Sutin, A. R. (2013) · Obesity · doi:10.1002/oby.20447 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“For example, they tend to have behavioral patterns that are conducive to weight gain, including unhealthy diets and alcohol consumption (18).”
BackgroundMartin‐Krumm, C., Kern, L., Fontayne, P., Romo, L., Boudoukha, A. H., & Boniwell, I. (2014) · Social Indicators Research · doi:10.1007/s11205-014-0774-8 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“However, most studies show that happiness is more correlated with lower levels of alcohol consumption among adults (Murphy et al. 2005; Kelloniemi et al. 2005).”
Kaar, J. L., Luberto, C. M., Campbell, K. A., & Huffman, J. C. (2017) · World Journal of Cardiology · doi:10.4330/wjc.v9.i5.396 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Carvajal, S. (2011) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2011.633241 · Cited by 35 · see citing works
Boehm, J. K., Qureshi, F., Chen, Y., Soo, J., Umukoro, P. E., Hernández, R., Lloyd‐Jones, D. M., & Kubzansky, L. D. (2020) · Psychosomatic Medicine · doi:10.1097/psy.0000000000000855 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
“, when adding sociodemographic factors to an age-adjusted model, a 1-SD change in optimism went from 6% to 3% greater likelihood of having healthy blood pressure levels), but are consistent with findings from past research on CVH (15) and research specific to the individual components of CVH (41).”
ResultVäyrynen, J. P., Mutt, S. J., Herzig, K., Väyrynen, S. A., Kantola, T., Karhu, T., Karttunen, T. J., Klintrup, K., Mäkelä, J. T., Mäkinen, M. J., et al. (2016) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/srep36519 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Correlates of nutritional behavior in individuals with multiple sclerosis
Plow, M. A., Finlayson, M. L., & Cho, C. (2012) · Disability and health journal · doi:10.1016/j.dhjo.2012.05.007 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Joutsenniemi, K., Härkänen, T., Pankakoski, M., LANGINVAINIO, H., Mattila, A., Saarelma, O., Lönnqvist, J. K., & Mustonen, P. (2013) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2012-002397 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“No marked differences were found in the consumption of junk food.(12) Psychological stress and socioeconomic status (SES) are”
BackgroundOsibogun, O. I., Ogunmoroti, O., Spatz, E. S., Burke, G. L., & Michos, E. D. (2018) · Clinical Cardiology · doi:10.1002/clc.22995 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Effect of Positive Well-Being on Incidence of Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease
Yanek, L. R., Kral, B. G., Moy, T. F., Vaidya, D. M., Lazo, M., Becker, L. C., & Becker, D. M. (2013) · The American Journal of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/j.amjcard.2013.05.055 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Randomized controlled trial of a well-being intervention in cardiac patients
Nikrahan, G. R., Eshaghi, L., Massey, C. N., Hemmat, A., Amonoo, H. L., Healy, B. C., & Huffman, J. C. (2019) · General Hospital Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2019.06.005 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Ding, T., Mullan, B. A., & Xavier, K. (2014) · British Food Journal · doi:10.1108/bfj-07-2012-0177 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
An examination of dyadic changes in optimism and physical health over time.
Chopik, W. J., Kim, E. S., & Smith, J. (2017) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/hea0000549 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Ait-hadad, W., Bénard, M., Shankland, R., Kesse-Guyot, E., Robert, M., Touvier, M., Hercberg, S., Buscail, C., & Péneau, S. (2020) · Nutrition Journal · doi:10.1186/s12937-020-0522-7 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
The Role of Dispositional Optimism in Physical and Mental Well-Being
Ottenheim, N. R., van der Mast, R. C., Zitman, F. G., & Giltay, E. J. (2012) · Social indicators research series · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-4963-4_9 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
“A Finnish cross-sectional study showed that higher optimism scores were positively associated with higher consumption of fresh vegetables or salads, berries, fruit, low-fat cheese, and salad dressing (Kelloniemi et al., 2005).”
BackgroundInfluentialReprint of: Positive Psychological Well-Being and Cardiovascular Disease
Kubzansky, L. D., Huffman, J. C., Boehm, J. K., Hernández, R., Kim, E. S., Koga, H. K., Feig, E. H., Lloyd‐Jones, D. M., Seligman, M. E. P., & Labarthe, D. R. (2018) · Journal of the American College of Cardiology · doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2018.10.023 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“Findings are more equivocal for a healthy BMI, with protective associations suggested by crosssectional studies but inconsistent results from prospective studies (39,40).”
BackgroundResultEvans, J. R., Torres-Pérez, J. V., Petrazzini, M. E. M., Riley, R. J., & Brennan, C. H. (2021) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-020-79615-1 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Hankonen, N. E., Vollmann, M., Renner, B., & Absetz, P. (2010) · Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/s10865-010-9271-y · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“…that optimism is related to health behavior and health behavior outcomes, such as successful completion of interventions (e.g., Milam et al. 2004; Strack et al. 1987), healthy dietary habits (e.g., Kelloniemi et al. 2005; Schroder and Schwarzer 2005), and weight loss (Shepperd et al. 1996).”
BackgroundAnger expression styles and blood pressure: evidence for different pathways
Igna, C. V., Julkunen, J., & Vanhanen, H. T. (2009) · Journal of Hypertension · doi:10.1097/hjh.0b013e32832f4f8f · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Ogunmoroti, O., Utuama, O. A., Salami, J., Elizondo, J. V., Spatz, E. S., Rouseff, M., Parris, D., Das, S., Guzmán, H., Agatston, A. S., et al. (2017) · Journal of Public Health · doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdx140 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Pänkäläinen, M., Fogelholm, M., Valve, R., Kampman, O., Kauppi, M. J., Lappalainen, E., & Hintikka, J. (2018) · Nutrition Journal · doi:10.1186/s12937-018-0400-8 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Dietary patterns and mental health after myocardial infarction
Ottenheim, N. R., Kromhout, D., Sijtsma, F. P. C., Geleijnse, J. M., & Giltay, E. J. (2017) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0186368 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“Regarding the association between dietary patterns and optimism, our results were concordant with those of an earlier study among a younger, population-based sample [21, 22], postmenopausal women [24], women with fibromyalgia [25], and older men [23].”
BackgroundMethodResultRamsay, J. E., Yang, F., Pang, J. S., Lai, C. M., Ho, R., & Mak, K. (2013) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105313504441 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
“In a sample of healthy adults, optimism was positively related to healthier dietary habits and negatively related to smoking (Kelloniemi et al., 2005).”
Backgroundvan de Rest, O., de Goede, J., Sytsma, F., Griep, L. M. O., Geleijnse, J. M., Kromhout, D., & Giltay, E. J. (2009) · British Journal Of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114509993308 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
“Dispositional optimism is defined in terms of generalised positive expectancies for one’s future((14)) and has been associated with more healthy dietary and other lifestyle habits((15,16)) and also with less cardiovascular mortality((17)).”
BackgroundCan Optimism Decrease the Risk of Illness and Disease Among the Elderly?
Peterson, C., Park, N., & Kim, E. S. (2012) · Aging Health · doi:10.2217/ahe.11.81 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Robert, M., Buscail, C., Allès, B., Shankland, R., Tavolacci, M., Déchelotte, P., Courtois, F., Ait-hadad, W., Andreeva, V., Touvier, M., et al. (2020) · International Journal of Eating Disorders · doi:10.1002/eat.23347 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Optimistic individuals have been shown to be more likely to display healthier behaviors (31,57) such as smoking less (3,9), being more physically active (3,11), and having a healthier diet (9,10).”
InfluentialChen, T. (2011) · Expert Systems with Applications · doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2011.04.045 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Development of a Positive Psychology Intervention for Patients with Acute Cardiovascular Disease
Huffman, J. C., Mastromauro, C. A., Boehm, J. K., Seabrook, R. C., Fricchione, G. L., Denninger, J. W., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2011) · Heart International · doi:10.4081/hi.2011.e13a · Cited by 14 · see citing works
An exploratory mixed methods analysis of adherence predictors following acute coronary syndrome
Huffman, J. C., Moore, S. V., DuBois, C. M., Mastromauro, C. A., Suarez, L. S. K., & Park, E. R. (2014) · Psychology Health & Medicine · doi:10.1080/13548506.2014.989531 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Carrillo, A., Feig, E. H., Harnedy, L. E., Huffman, J. C., Park, E. R., Thorndike, A. N., Kim, S., & Millstein, R. A. (2022) · Health Psychology Open · doi:10.1177/20551029211055264 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Optimism, in particular, has received special attention with regard to this topic, and it has been found that this construct is associated with the consumption of healthier food (Aithadad et al., 2020; Boehm et al., 2018; Hingle et al., 2014; Kelloniemi et al., 2005).”
BackgroundRadavelli‐Bagatini, S., Sim, M., Blekkenhorst, L. C., Bondonno, N. P., Bondonno, C. P., Woodman, R. J., Dickson, J. M., Magliano, D. J., Shaw, J. E., Daly, R. M., et al. (2022) · European Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1007/s00394-022-02848-5 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Karhu, J., Hintsanen, M., Ek, E., Koskela, J., & Veijola, J. (2022) · Personality and Individual Differences · doi:10.1016/j.paid.2022.111710 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Self-citationAnsari, H., Khammarnia, M., Okati‐Aliabad, H., Fakhrrahimi, S., Mahdavifar, N., Mohammadian, M., Yousefzadeh, A., Mohammadbeigi, A., Mohammadi, Y., & Tirgarfakheri, K. (2019) · Health Scope · doi:10.5812/jhealthscope.89282 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Generally, positive performance is related to health behaviors (2, 5).”
BackgroundResultInfluentialZhao, F., Suhonen, R., Katajisto, J., & Leino‐Kilpi, H. (2019) · Nursing Open · doi:10.1002/nop2.379 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Optimism has been shown to possibly associate with health be‐ haviour in young adults (Kelloniemi et al., 2005) and older adults (Steptoe, Wright, Kunz‐Ebrecht, & Iliffe, 2006; Barnett & Anderson 2019).”
BackgroundThe Role of Optimism Regarding Nutrition and Health Behavior
Soliah, L. (2010) · American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine · doi:10.1177/1559827610378341 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
“Perhaps optimism is associated with a sense of mastery over one’s eating behaviors and the ability of a person to be responsive to health and weight-related interventions.(11) Conditions That Predict Successful Changes in Dietary Habits”
BackgroundResultInfluentialDietary intake and characteristics in persons with multiple sclerosis
Venasse, M., Gauthier, A., Giroux, I., & Pilutti, L. A. (2021) · Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.msard.2021.103237 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Association of pessimism with cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality
Krittanawong, C., Maitra, N. S., Khawaja, M., Wang, Z., Fogg, S. E., Rozenkrantz, L., Virani, S. S., Levin, M., Storch, E. A., Tobler, P. N., et al. (2022) · Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases · doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2022.11.018 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Herráiz-Adillo, Á., Ahlqvist, V. H., Daka, B., Wångdahl, J. M., Wennberg, P., Carlsson, J., Higueras‐Fresnillo, S., Lenander, C., Östgren, C. J., Berglind, D., et al. (2024) · Quality of Life Research · doi:10.1007/s11136-023-03580-1 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Serlachius, A. S., Pulkki-Råbäck, L., Juonala, M., Sabin, M. A., Lehtimäki, T. J., Raitakari, O. T., & Elovainio, M. J. (2017) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.07.006 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“Optimism has shown to positively associate with a healthy diet and a low body mass index (BMI) in a population-based study of young adults [6], and with healthy behaviours including increased physical activity and eating a healthier diet in elderly men [7].”
BackgroundOura, P., AUVINEN, J. P., Paananen, M., Junno, J., Niinimäki, J. L., Karppinen, J. I., & Nurkkala, M. (2019) · Osteoporosis International · doi:10.1007/s00198-019-04843-9 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Hankonen, N. E. (2011) · Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Barnhart, C. E., McClymont, K. M., Smith, A., Au‐Yeung, A., & Lee, S. J. (2016) · BMC Geriatrics · doi:10.1186/s12877-016-0199-0 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“A second notable finding was the relationship between NH residents’ attitude and engagement in their own care [18–21].”
BackgroundPersonality, well-being and job resources : from negative paradigm towards positive psychology
Mäkikangas, A. (2007) · Jyväskylä University Digital Archive (University of Jyväskylä) · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Recursos psicosociales positivos y salud cardiovascular
Nitsche, M. P., Marcela Bitran, C., Nuria Pedrals, G., Echeverría, G., & Rigotti, A. (2014) · Revista médica de Chile · doi:10.4067/s0034-98872014001000012 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Hernández, R., Daviglus, M. L., Martinez, L., Durazo-Arvizú, R., Huffman, J. C., Ramirez, F., Tito, L. G., & Moskowitz, J. T. (2019) · Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications · doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100348 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Associations between optimism, tobacco smoking and substanceabuse among Iranian high school students
Marin, S., Heshmatian, E., Nadrian, H., Fakhari, A., & Mohammadpourasl, A. (2019) · Health Promotion Perspectives · doi:10.15171/hpp.2019.38 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Bazo‐Alvarez, J. C., Peralta-Álvarez, F., Bernabé‐Ortiz, A., Alvarado, G. F., & Miranda, J. J. (2016) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-016-0130-7 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“sults indicating that the proportion of current smokers was higher among pessimists than among optimists [29].”
BackgroundKokthi, E., Miftari, I., Hasani, A., Tili, I., & Basha, A. (2025) · Discover Sustainability · doi:10.1007/s43621-025-02466-1 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Despite the negative consequences, adolescents continue to consume fast food, suggesting that positive attitudes may reflect automatic, emotion-driven decisions rather than deliberate choices [39, 62, 65, 69].”
O’Keefe, E. L., Lavie, C. J., & Kachur, S. M. (2020) · Heart and Mind · doi:10.4103/hm.hm_32_20 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Feig, E. H., Healy, B. C., Celano, C. M., Nikrahan, G. R., Moskowitz, J. T., & Huffman, J. C. (2019) · International Journal of Wellbeing · doi:10.5502/ijw.v9i2.795 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Kargakou, A., Sachlas, A., Lyrakos, G. N., Zyga, S., Tsironi, M., & Gil, A. P. R. (2017) · Advances in experimental medicine and biology · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-56246-9_4 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Schiavon, C. C., Marchetti, E., Ayala, F. O., Loewe, G., Bauer, J., Busnello, F. M., & Reppold, C. T. (2020) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0236693 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“One of the mediating factors of this association was healthy eating habits [23].”
BackgroundYokokawa, Y., Sone, T., Matsuyama, S., Lu, Y., Sugawara, Y., Fukao, A., & Tsuji, I. (2022) · Journal of Epidemiology · doi:10.2188/jea.je20210493 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“36,37 On the other hand, shorter desired longevity could be associated with negative a ff ectivity, which is known to increase the risk of mortality.”
Szabó, K., & Piko, B. F. (2018) · Orvosi Hetilap · doi:10.1556/650.2018.31194 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“Az optimizmus/pesszimizmus is szerepet játszik az egészséges táplálkozás fenntartásában: az egészségesebb ételeket fogyasztók inkább optimisták voltak [19].”
- Authors
- Kelloniemi, H., Ek, E., & Laitinen, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Oulu (FI)
- Corresponding author
- Kelloniemi, Heini
- Venue
- Appetite
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2005-10
- Volume
- 45
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 169-176
- ISSN
- 0195-6663 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1996726989
- Cited by
- 129
- References
- 36
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 9
- FWCI
- 2.42
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Appetite (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Keywords
- optimism, pessimism, dietary habits, body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable intake, salad dressing, dietary fiber intake, young adults, health behavior, sex differences
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Attitude, Diet, Female, Finland, Health Surveys, Humans, Life Style, Male, Sex Factors, Smoking, Vegetables, Cohort Studies, Health Behavior, Body Mass Index
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
