The introduction of health behavior profiles in the Hungarian Defense Forces: a cluster analysis of lifestyle factors according to the health screening tests performed in 2011–2015

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to examine the health behavior patterns of soldiers in the Hungarian Defense Forces and to introduce health behavior profiles according to the cluster analysis of lifestyle factors. The soldiers (N = 5475) who underwent health tests in 2011–2015 participated in this cross-sectional study. The factors included in the analysis are the following: age, sex, diseases diagnosed, the body mass index, eating habits, the smoking status, daily physical activity, sporting habits, the presence of psychosomatic symptoms, mental toughness and sleep apnea. The response options for each factor were scored on a linear scale; the minimum number of points available was –47.5 pts and the maximum number was 48.5 pts according to the 24 factors. Finally, the authors created health profiles typical of the pattern with the cluster analysis of the data. As a result of the cluster analysis, 16 distinct profiles were found, 10 of which differed significantly (p < 0.05) from each other. The lowest point value achieved was 3.1 pts and the highest was 26.2 pts. The lowest number of points was achieved by the cluster, 1.8% of the sample, with the highest average age (43.5±7.2 years) in which women showed the highest participation (46%). The 2 clusters with the highest numbers of points, 2.9% and 5.5% of the sample, were the 2 groups with the lowest average age (33.7±7.1 years and 34.3±7.9 years). The significance of the health profiles obtained during this examination with the Hungarian Defense Forces is that the health promotion intervention opportunities may be determined by clusters, the health behavior factor with which the authors can reach higher health benefits can be chosen and the effectiveness of the interventions carried out can be traced easily. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(1):99–114