Health-related lifestyle assessment among Spanish adults from 22 to 72 years

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this paper has focused on assessing the level of health-related lifestyle acquired in Spanish adults in the Spanish cities of Albacete and Murcia, and analyzing the existing differences according to sex and age.

Material and methods: On a sample of 788 subjects aged between 22 and 72, the Health-related Lifestyle Assessment Scale was applied, consisting of 52 items and structured in 7 dimensions that explained a total variance of 66.87% and a Cronbach's alpha of 0.894.

Results: A percentage of 12 of the adults surveyed have a healthy lifestyle, 53% show a trend to health and 35% poor or unhealthy. Pearson's χ² tests show a positive and significant association of women with health and a trend of significant improvement in lifestyle with age. The inferential data (t-Student tests and one-factor ANOVA) confirm these differences according to gender and age.

Conclusions: It is necessary to promote preventive programs to improve health in the habits of the population, especially in the 35% that show a poor or unhealthy level of lifestyle.

Keywords: Adultos; Adults; Assessment; Cuestionario; Estilo de vida; Health; Health habits; Hábitos de salud; Lifestyle; Questionnaire; Salud; Valoración.