Life satisfaction as a health determinant among Polish adult population

Background: Mental factors may influence physical functioning and psychological well-being working positively on physical health. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between personal life satisfaction (LS) and biological condition in healthy males and females in Poland. Material and methods: The participants were 2102 men and 1397 women, 25-65 years of age, inhabitants of Wroclaw, Poland. LS was used as a measure of subjective well-being. Biological condition was evaluated by 13 objective medical measures characterizing a condition of the cardiovascular system, biochemistry, fitness and a level and distribution of general body adiposity. Results: Significant relationship has been found between LS and biological condition. Men having high LS are significantly more fit; have greater spine flexibility, better eye-hand coordination and more beneficial for health level of biochemical parameters comparing to their peers with lower LS. Men having low LS have more benefits health parameters concerning adiposity. Happier women have a significantly lower general body adiposity, better eye-hand coordination and spine flexibility, a lower level of total cholesterol and a more beneficial level of alkaline phosphatase. Conclusions: LS scale can detect a group dissatisfied men and women from the general population with a higher risk of having poorer health parameters. Significant is not only a relationship between LS and physical health, but also a long-term influence of LS on biological condition, which may be an effect of some specific models of health behavior and/or a worse professional and social situation.