Health Behavior Patterns Research Articles

문화기술지를 이용한 체중조절 성공 남자 대학생의 건강행위 양상

Purpose: We performed an ethnographic analysis on health-related behavioral patterns of male college students enrolled in a weight-control program. Methods: The participants in this study were 12 obese male college students and one member of the health program staff. Data, collected through interviews and participatory observations during fieldwork, were analyzed using text analysis and taxonomic methods. Results: Patterns of health behavior were categorized into one of two types: the type with a willingness and motivation toward improving health (including a positive management of diseases and lifestyle) or the type concerned with social development and competence (including the application of strategic relationships and a self-conscious inclination toward appearance). Conclusion: The concepts of body and health in sociocultural contexts lead to weight-control practices. These results strongly indicate that providers of dieting programs for young adults need to understand the physical and psychological concerns of their students. Moreover, another implication from our results is that health-related interventions should be designed according to specific aspects of its participants.

Padrao de comportamento de risco para a saude em estudantes de Cartagena, Colombia: prevalencia e variaveis associadas

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and variables associated with the pattern of risky health behavior (PRHB) among adolescent students in Cartagena, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate PRHB in a random cluster sample of students from middle and high schools. The associations were adjusted by logistic regression. A total of 2,625 students participated in this research, with ages from 10 to 20 years, mean=13.8 years (SD=2.0), and 54.3% were women. A total of 332 students reported PRHB (12.7%, 95%CI 11.4–14.0). Age over 15 years (OR=2.19, 95%CI 1.72–2.79), not being heterosexual (OR=1.98, 95%CI 1.36-2.87), poor/mediocre academic performance (OR=1.87, 95%CI 1.47–2.38), family dysfunction (OR=1.78, 95%CI 1.40–2.28) and male gender (OR=1.58, 95%CI 1.24–2.01) were associated with PRHB. One in every eight students presented a PRHB. It is important to pay greater attention to students who are over 15 years of age, male, not heterosexual, with a poor/mediocre academic performance and a dysfunctional family.

Health risk behavior pattern among students from Cartagena, Colombia: prevalence and associated variables

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and variables associated with the pattern of risky health behavior (PRHB) among adolescent students in Cartagena, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate PRHB in a random cluster sample of students from middle and high schools. The associations were adjusted by logistic regression. A total of 2,625 students participated in this research, with ages from 10 to 20 years, mean=13.8 years (SD=2.0), and 54.3% were women. A total of 332 students reported PRHB (12.7%, 95%CI 11.4-14.0). Age over 15 years (OR=2.19, 95%CI 1.72-2.79), not being heterosexual (OR=1.98, 95%CI 1.36-2.87), poor/mediocre academic performance (OR=1.87, 95%CI 1.47-2.38), family dysfunction (OR=1.78, 95%CI 1.40-2.28) and male gender (OR=1.58, 95%CI 1.24-2.01) were associated with PRHB. One in every eight students presented a PRHB. It is important to pay greater attention to students who are over 15 years of age, male, not heterosexual, with a poor/mediocre academic performance and a dysfunctional family.

Occupational stress and self-perceived oral health in Brazilian adults: a Pro-Saude study

The scope of this study is to investigate the association between occupational stress and self-perception of oral health. Data were obtained through a self-administered questionnaire filled out in a Pró-Saúde Study by 3253 administrative technical staff from Rio de Janeiro's State University. Occupational stress was measured by means of a questionnaire elaborated in 1970 by Karasek, duly shortened by Thorell in 1988. Ordinal logistic regression was used for data analysis, subsequently adjusted for three blocks of variables. Workers exposed to high occupational demands and little occupational control and to passive work had higher chances of self-perception of worse oral health, when compared with those exposed to low occupational demands, there being no association observed in those exposed to active work. However, in the multiple regression model the following estimates were reduced in magnitude and lost statistical significance, namely high occupational demands and passive work. Workers exposed to high occupational demands revealed worse self-reported oral health, which seems to be partly explained by health behavior patterns, the presence of oral health problems and seeking dental services at longer intervals than once per year.

Body mass index and health-related quality of life in apparently healthy individuals

Obesity is known to be associated with a range of chronic medical comorbidities, but little is known about the impact of overweight and obesity on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons without chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess HRQoL, body mass index (BMI) and health behavior patterns in a community sample of subjects who had no long-lasting medical comorbidities We assessed HRQoL in 1,187 apparently healthy individuals (mean age 57±7years), of whom 24% were classified as normal weight, 49% as overweight, 20% as obese and 7% as very obese. Two different instruments of HRQoL were used: the generic Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire and the preference-based instrument EuroQol (EQ-5D). All physical components of the SF-36 decreased linearly according to BMI categories in women. In men, only poorer physical functioning scale showed linearity with rising BMI. Scores on the mental components of the SF-36 did not differ by BMI categories in either gender. The EQ-5D index and EuroQol visual analogue scale scores decreased linearly with rising BMI only in women. In apparently healthy middle-aged subjects, physical HRQoL decreases with increasing level of BMI and more so in women than in men. Mental components of HRQoL do not differ between the categories of BMI in either gender.

Physical health indicators among lesbian, gay, and bisexual U.S. veterans

PurposeTo provide information about lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) veterans' health status, diagnoses, and health screening behaviors compared with heterosexual veterans. MethodsData are from 10 states' 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System surveys that contained sexual orientation data for veterans (n = 11,665). χ2 tests and multiple logistic regression were used to examine outcomes among LGB and heterosexual veterans. ResultsMore LGB than heterosexual veterans reported current smoking, not seeking medical care owing to cost, and activity limitations. Compared with heterosexual veterans, LGB veterans had greater odds of ever having an human immunodeficiency virus test (odds ratio [OR], 5.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.28–8.96) but lower odds of diabetes diagnosis (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.34–0.89). ConclusionsFindings from this sample suggest patterns of health behaviors and outcomes among LGB veterans that are both unique from and similar to results from general samples of LGB persons. With the formal end of the “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy that discriminated against LGB people in the military, institutions such as the Department of Veterans Affairs are likely to see an increase in its current population of LGB veterans. The Department of Veterans Affairs stands in a unique place to meet the health equity needs of this minority population.

Stress Indicators and Eating Habits among Working Malaysian Women

Managing working life and personal life can result in conflicting demands and roles for young professional women in developing countries. This paper focuses on a descriptive analysis of foods related behavior and level of stress indicators of Malaysian urban working women. It also explored the association between foods related behavior indicators and level of stress among these working women in Malaysia. The data was derived from an unpublished report carried based on a study on levels of stress, work environment and food intake patterns among urban working women. Data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of self-reported measures of health, stress symptoms, and food related behavior pattern. The results show that young professional women in Malaysia reported high levels of stress and unhealthy food related behavior patterns; underlining important areas for future research related to working women in Asian communities and workplaces. There is a need to addressed issues related to quality of life and wellbeing of working women in Malaysia by both researchers and by policy makers.

Patterns of health behaviours predict obesity in Australian children

The study aims to examine whether patterns of health behaviours (based on sleep duration, physical activity, screen time and diet) were associated with obesity in Australian children. This paper included 1833 children aged 6-7 years (51.6% male) recruited in 2006 as part of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. Latent class analysis was performed to identify the presence of distinct behavioural profiles on the basis of sleep duration, physical activity, screen time and eating habits. Logistic regression was performed to examine the association between the behavioural profiles and obesity assessed at baseline and 2-year follow-up. Three behavioural profiles, healthy (27.7%), sedentary (24.8%) and short sleepers/unhealthy eaters (47.5%), were identified. Compared with the healthy profile, the sedentary profile (odds ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence interval (1.06-2.38)) and short sleepers/unhealthy eaters (odds ratio = 1.47 (1.03-2.13)) had elevated odds of obesity at 2-year follow-up. The present study identified distinct profiles of health behaviours in this sample of Australian children. These findings add to existing findings that many health behaviours co-occur and that obesity interventions should target patterns of behaviours in children.

How mistimed and unwanted pregnancies affect timing of antenatal care initiation in three districts in Tanzania

BackgroundEarly antenatal care (ANC) initiation is a doorway to early detection and management of potential complications associated with pregnancy. Although the literature reports various factors associated with ANC initiation such as parity and age, pregnancy intentions is yet to be recognized as a possible predictor of timing of ANC initiation.MethodsData originate from a cross-sectional household survey on health behaviour and service utilization patterns. The survey was conducted in 2011 in Rufiji, Kilombero and Ulanga districts in Tanzania on 3,127 women from whom 910 of reproductive age who had given birth in the past two years and sought ANC at least once during pregnancy were selected for the current analysis. ANC initiation was considered to be early only if it occurred in the first trimester of pregnancy gestation. A recently completed pregnancy was defined as mistimed if a woman wanted it later, and if she did not want it at all the pregnancy was termed as unwanted. Chi-square was used to test for associations and multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine how mistimed and unwanted pregnancies relate with timing of ANC initiation.ResultsAlthough 49.3% of the women intended to become pregnant, 50.7% (34.9% mistimed and 15.8% unwanted) became pregnant unintentionally. While ANC initiation in the 1st trimester was 18.5%, so was 71.7% and 9.9% in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that ANC initiation in the 2nd trimester was 1.68 (95% CI 1.10–2.58) and 2.00 (95% CI 1.05–3.82) times more likely for mistimed and unwanted pregnancies respectively compared to intended pregnancies. These estimates rose to 2.81 (95% CI 1.41–5.59) and 4.10 (95% CI 1.68–10.00) respectively in the 3rd trimester. We controlled for gravidity, age, education, household wealth, marital status, religion, district of residence and travel time to a health facility.ConclusionLate ANC initiation is a significant maternal and child health consequence of mistimed and unwanted pregnancies in Tanzania. Women should be empowered to delay or avoid pregnancies whenever they need to do so. Appropriate counseling to women, especially those who happen to conceive unintentionally is needed to minimize the possibility of delaying ANC initiation.

Advances in multiple health behavior change research

In the USA, national surveys have long demonstrated that adults tend to have multidimensional patterns of health behaviors (e.g., smoking, poor diet, sedentary activity, risky drinking, etc.), rather than any one of these health behaviors in isolation [1, 2]. This trend results in not only higher rates of premature mortality, but also morbidity and disability [3, 4]. In addition, this trend is not limited to adult populations, but has been shown to start in adolescence. Pronk and colleagues [5] found that less than a third of adolescents are at criteria for having a healthy weight, physical activity, diet, and not smoking. Multiple risk behaviors also have been shown to have incremental increases in disability, pharmaceutical, and overall medical costs in large worksite samples. Research has shown that by treating two behaviors effectively, an individual's medical costs decrease by approximately $2,000 per year [6]. The benefits of impacting on multiple behaviors are therefore important for a variety of reasons.

Health effect of multiple behaviours during pregnancy on birthweight: a latent class analysis of the Born in Bradford cohort

BackgroundPregnancy is a time of optimum motivation for many women to make positive behavioural change to improve their own health and the health of their unborn child. We aimed to identify and describe groups of pregnant women with similar patterns of self-reported health behaviours with use of latent class analysis, and to establish the association of these behaviours with birthweight. MethodsThe Born in Bradford (BiB) birth cohort is a longitudinal study of more than 13–000 infants born in the city of Bradford, in northern England, between 2007 and 2010. About half the study participants were of Pakistani ethnic origin. This study used data from 10–850 mother-pairs for whom the mother completed a baseline questionnaire and had a live term singleton birth. Data were available for smoking and alcohol consumption at three different timepoints, representing before pregnancy, first trimester, and second trimester. Data for other health-related exposures, including caffeine consumption, vitamin D supplementation, use of other tobacco products (including paan), and exposure to second-hand smoke and other illegal drugs, were available for the second trimester of pregnancy. We used latent class analysis to identify groups of individuals with similar patterns of health behaviours with Mplus 6.0. This analysis classified participants into groups on the basis of conditional probabilities. We then used linear regression to examine the association between group membership and birthweight and to adjust for maternal sociodemographic and birth characteristics. FindingsFive classes of behaviours groupings fitted these data best. Class one members (7142, 65·8%) were the most healthy, being more likely to take vitamin D and were unlikely to report unhealthy behaviours. Class two members (416, 3·8%) were unlikely to smoke but were heavier drinkers before or during pregnancy and had low levels of vitamin D consumption. Babies born to mothers in this group were on average 20 g (95% CI −66·5 to 28·4; p=0·42) heavier than were those born to women in class one, although we noted no evidence of a difference between classes. Class three members (1514, 14·0%) were most likely to be ex-smokers or be cutting back on smoking and drinking, and were otherwise healthy. Babies born to these mothers were on average 21 g (–5·6 to 51·3; p=0·15) heavier than were those born to mothers in class one, although we noted no evidence of a difference between classes. Class four members (907, 8·4%) reported cutting back on smoking and drinking but were still partaking in other unhealthy behaviours and were also more likely to be exposed to passive smoke than were mothers in other classes. Babies born to these mothers were on average 97 g (–59·7 to −130·1; p<0·0001) lighter than were those born to mothers in class one. Class five members (871, 8·0%) were most likely to report high levels of unhealthy behaviours and low levels of healthy behaviours, in addition to being exposed to passive smoke. Babies born to these mothers were on average 227 g (–187·1 to 262·1; p<0·0001) lighter were than those born to mothers in class one. InterpretationThis latent class analysis identified five subgroups of pregnant women with different patterns of behaviour; generally those with more healthy behaviours had heavier babies at birth. Further work will explore which of the behaviours drives the association with birthweight. FundingNone.

Clustering of health behaviours in adult survivors of childhood cancer and the general population.

Background:Little is known about engagement in multiple health behaviours in childhood cancer survivors.Methods:Using latent class analysis, we identified health behaviour patterns in 835 adult survivors of childhood cancer (age 20–35 years) and 1670 age- and sex-matched controls from the general population. Behaviour groups were determined from replies to questions on smoking, drinking, cannabis use, sporting activities, diet, sun protection and skin examination.Results:The model identified four health behaviour patterns: ‘risk-avoidance’, with a generally healthy behaviour; ‘moderate drinking’, with higher levels of sporting activities, but moderate alcohol-consumption; ‘risk-taking’, engaging in several risk behaviours; and ‘smoking’, smoking but not drinking. Similar proportions of survivors and controls fell into the ‘risk-avoiding’ (42% vs 44%) and the ‘risk-taking’ cluster (14% vs 12%), but more survivors were in the ‘moderate drinking’ (39% vs 28%) and fewer in the ‘smoking’ cluster (5% vs 16%). Determinants of health behaviour clusters were gender, migration background, income and therapy.Conclusion:A comparable proportion of childhood cancer survivors as in the general population engage in multiple health-compromising behaviours. Because of increased vulnerability of survivors, multiple risk behaviours should be addressed in targeted health interventions.

Predictors of recall certainty of dates of analgesic medication use in pregnancy

Recalled dates of medication use are difficult to validate, particularly for over-the-counter (OTC) medications. We evaluated mothers' recall certainty as an approximation of the accuracy of their recalled exposures. We used data from the Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study collected by retrospective interview of women about pregnancy medication use. For each medication reported, women were asked to report the dates of their use and how certain they were of their reported dates. For this analysis, 32,107 reports from 14,577 analgesic users were categorized as "high" or "low" recall certainty if they considered a reported date as exact or estimated, respectively. Patterns of analgesic use, maternal demographics, and health behaviors were explored as predictors of high recall certainty of dates of analgesic use. We used log-binomial regression with the generalized estimating equations extension to account for multiple reports per subject in estimating prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals. Relative to episodes of short-term routine use (≥4 times/week for ≤30 days), high recall certainty was more likely for episodes of a single dose (prescription PR = 1.92 (1.61, 2.27); OTC PR = 3.65 (3.03, 4.40)) and less likely for episodes of occasional use (prescription PR = 0.10 (0.05, 0.18); OTC PR = 0.65 (0.53, 0.79)). The association of chronic routine use with high recall certainty was inverse among prescription analgesics and positive among OTC analgesics (prescription PR = 0.56 (0.40, 0.80); OTC PR = 2.46 (1.92, 3.42)). Some characteristics that were associated with recall accuracy in previous studies were also associated with recall certainty in this study.

Risk propensity and health risk behaviors in U.S. army soldiers with and without psychological disturbances across the deployment cycle

Anecdotal and preliminary evidence suggests that Soldiers returning from a combat deployment engage in an increased number of health risk behaviors. Three potential factors driving this change were examined in this study; posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), concussion and traumatic brain injury (TBI), and perceived invincibility. We studied members of a combat arms brigade one month prior to a deployment to Iraq and approximately one month after their return (N = 319). Participants anonymously completed surveys characterizing attitudes about risk, risk propensity, invincibility, engagement in health risk behaviors, and personality. Using standardized screening instruments, participants were categorized with respect to PTSD and probable TBI. Results suggest that Soldiers engage in more alcohol use and reckless driving behaviors post-deployment. These changes were exaggerated in those who screened positive for PTSD. Perception of one’s invincibility and survival skills increased post-deployment thus suggesting that participants felt less susceptible to adverse consequences and more adept at surviving dangerous situations. This study provides documentation of the pattern of health behavior in Soldiers engaged in the deployment cycle. Our findings suggest increases in the number of risks Soldiers’ engage in post-deployment are not limited to those with PTSD symptomtotology. This study has implications for not only adjustment to life post-deployment at the individual level but also operational readiness.

The inclusion of parents or carers in the consultation process of developing health-promotion activities in the Australian context

Objective: Patterns of health behaviour and lifestyle established in childhood carry on into adulthood. Parents and carers have strong influences on the establishment of these patterns. Despite such influences, parents and carers are often omitted from the planning process in health-promotion and early intervention activities. This paper examines the literature to quantify the amount of consultation that occurs. Method: A systemic review of the available literature was conducted of papers published in English between 1998 and 2008 using OVID, Medline, CIAP, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, INFORMET and PubMed databases. The search was not limited to age; however, some papers indicted that their research were restricted to children over the age of five. Results: Three hundred and thirty one articles were retrieved of which 32 met the inclusion criteria. It was found that parents and carers are reliable and accurate reporters of the objective components of their child’s health, such as physical functioning, but unreliable when it comes to subjective components including pain and emotional psychosocial functioning of their children. However, parents and carers are often omitted or at best superficially included in the development of health-promotion and early intervention programmes in Australia. Conclusions: The lack of consultation with parents and carers in health-promotion and early interventions programmes by policy makers, programme developers and health advocates results in decreased consumer ownership, dissatisfaction with service delivery and creates barriers to engagement. Without adequate and appropriate engagement of parents and carers, early interventions and health-promotion programmes will result in superficial and short-term health outcomes.

Executive function and latent classes of childhood obesity risk

Executive function (EF) is the set of neuro-cognitive processes associated with self-regulation, decision-making, and goal-directed behavior. The goal of this study is to examine cross-sectional relationships between EF and latent classes of youth characterized by patterns of obesity-related health behaviors (i.e., high fat/high sugar intake, fruit and vegetable intake, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dieting). Participants were 997 4th grade youth in a school-based obesity prevention program. Cross-sectional relationships at study baseline between established latent classes of obesity risk and EF problems were assessed. General linear models demonstrated that EF problems were associated with classification into two unhealthy latent obesity risk classes. One potential implication of study findings is that obesity intervention efforts include EF promotion content tailored for latent classes of youth at different levels of obesity risk.

Psychosocial Factors of Different Health Behaviour Patterns in Adolescents: Association with Overweight and Weight Control Behaviours

Physical activity, nutrition, and sedentary behaviour combine to influence the risk of overweight among adolescents. This paper aims to identify psychosocial factors of different health behaviour patterns in adolescents and its association with overweight and weight control behaviours. The 3069 adolescents of both genders (average of 14.8 years old) from the 2010 Portuguese survey of Health Behaviour School-Aged Children (HBSC) answered the 2010 HBSC self-reported questionnaire. It used the cluster k-means (nonhierarchy method), qui-square, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression. Three clusters with different behavioural patterns (physical activity, sedentary, and eating) composed the results obtained. The sedentary group (34%) had lower self-regulation, body satisfaction, health and wellness, family and classmates relationships, communication with the father than the other two groups. The active gamers (25%) had a smaller BMI but used more unhealthy weight control strategies than the other two groups. The healthy group (41%) was more motivated and more satisfied with school but was not different than the active gamers in most psychosocial variables. Differences were found between clusters for weight control behaviours and psychosocial variables. Different strategies for different patterns were necessary in order to promote obesity prevention and, simultaneously, target healthy lifestyle and wellbeing in adolescents.

Patterns of Health Behavior for Weight Loss among Adults Using Obesity Clinics

This ethnography was done to explore patterns of weight management behavior among adults using obesity clinics. The participants were 12 adults who were overweight or obese and 2 family members. Data were collected from iterative fieldwork in the obesity clinics of two hospitals. Data were analyzed using text analysis and taxonomic methods. Weight management behaviors among participants varied according to the recognition of the body and motivation for weight control, Participants' behavior was discussed in the socio-cultural context of obesity. Patterns of weight management behavior among participants were categorized by focus: strategic self-oriented type including managements for the body as a social asset and for health, selective neglect type, and passive group value-oriented type including type dependent on others and managements for beauty. Participants' weight management behavior was guided by folk concepts of body and health. and constructed within the socio-cultural context. It is necessary for health care providers to understand physical and psychological problems arising from the repeated trials, excessive control of weight, and Western cultural discourse on beauty ideals among adults who are overweight or obese. Therefore, interventions should be tailored to address individual and community needs.

임상간호사의 건강행위, 사회적지지, 행동유형과 자기효능감과의 관련성

본 연구는 임상 간호사의 건강행위, 사회적지지, 행동유형과 자기효능감과 상관관계를 파악하여 간호사의 자기효능감과 사회적 지지 향상을 위한 프로그램개발에 기초 자료를 제공하기 위하여 시도되었다. 대상자는 강원도에 소재하고 있는 병원의 간호사 202명을 대상으로 하였다. 자료수집은 2011년 6월 10일부터 6월 26일 까지의 기간 동안에 구조화된 무기명 자기기입식 설문지를 이용한 설문조사에 의하였다. 연구결과, 간호사의 자기효능감은 학력, 재직기간, 결혼유무, 근무부서, 종교, 밤번횟수, 가사분담, 운동, 스트레스 관리에 따라 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었고, 사회적 지지는 근무부서, 종교, 가사분담, 음주, 흡연, 스트레스 관리에 따라 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 있었으나 행동유형은 자기효능감과 사회적 지지에 따라 유의한 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 상관관계에서는, 간호사의 자기효능감은 사회적 지지와 유의한 상관관계가 있었으나, 행동유형과는 상관관계를 나타내지 않았다. This study intends to investigate the health behavior, self-efficacy, behavior pattern and social support among hospital of nurses, to provide the basic data for self-efficacy promoting program and social support promoting program. The self-administered questionnaires were given to 202 nurses employed in hospital during the period from June 10 to June 26, 2011. As a results, the score of level of self-efficacy was statistically significant difference according to educational status, working period, marital state, place of duty, religion, night-duty, distribution of household labor, exercise and stress management. The score of level of social support was statistically significant difference according to place of duty, religion and distribution of household labor, alcohol drinking, smoking, and stress management. But the score of level of behavior pattern was not statistically significant difference according to self-efficacy and social support. In correlation, the score of self-efficacy level correlated positively with social support and not with behavior pattern.

The clustering of health behaviours in Ireland and their relationship with mental health, self-rated health and quality of life

BackgroundHealth behaviours do not occur in isolation. Rather they cluster together. It is important to examine patterns of health behaviours to inform a more holistic approach to health in both health promotion and illness prevention strategies. Examination of patterns is also important because of the increased risk of mortality, morbidity and synergistic effects of health behaviours. This study examines the clustering of health behaviours in a nationally representative sample of Irish adults and explores the association of these clusters with mental health, self-rated health and quality of life.MethodsTwoStep Cluster analysis using SPSS was carried out on the SLÁN 2007 data (national Survey of Lifestyle, Attitudes and Nutrition, n = 10,364; response rate =62%; food frequency n = 9,223; cluster analysis n = 7,350). Patterns of smoking, drinking alcohol, physical activity and diet were considered. Associations with positive and negative mental health, quality of life and self-rated health were assessed.ResultsSix health behaviour clusters were identified: Former Smokers, 21.3% (n = 1,564), Temperate, 14.6% (n = 1,075), Physically Inactive, 17.8% (n = 1,310), Healthy Lifestyle, 9.3% (n = 681), Multiple Risk Factor, 17% (n = 1248), and Mixed Lifestyle, 20% (n = 1,472). Cluster profiles varied with men aged 18-29 years, in the lower social classes most likely to adopt unhealthy behaviour patterns. In contrast, women from the higher social classes and aged 65 years and over were most likely to be in the Healthy Lifestyle cluster. Having healthier patterns of behaviour was associated with positive lower levels of psychological distress and higher levels of energy vitality.ConclusionThe current study identifies discernible patterns of lifestyle behaviours in the Irish population which are similar to those of our European counterparts. Healthier clusters (Former Smokers, Temperate and Healthy Lifestyle) reported higher levels of energy vitality, lower levels of psychological distress, better self-rated health and better quality of life. In contrast, those in the Multiple Risk Factor cluster had the lowest levels of energy and vitality and the highest levels of psychological distress. Identification of these discernible patterns because of their relationship with mortality, morbidity and longevity is important for identifying national and international health behaviour patterns.