Objective: Although engagement in social networks is important to health, multiple different dimensions exist. This study identifies which dimensions are associated with chronic disease risk behaviors. Methods: Cross-sectional data on social support, loneliness, and neighborhood social cohesion from 5381 participants, aged 45–84 from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis was used. Results: After adjusting for individual characteristics and all social engagement variables, social support was associated with lower smoking prevalence (PR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82, 0.94), higher probability of having quit (PR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06) and a slightly higher probability of achieving physical activity recommendations (PR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.06). Neighborhood social cohesion was associated with very slightly higher probability of achieving recommended (PR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.05) or any regular (PR = 1.0, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.04) physical activity, and a higher probability of consuming at least five daily fruit and vegetable servings (PR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.09). Conclusions: Both social support and neighborhood social cohesion, a less commonly considered aspect of social engagement, appear to be important for chronic disease prevention interventions and likely act via separate pathways.
