What defines a lifestyle? This relates to the way people live, including their pursuit of interests, fashion choices, and social fulfillment. It also encompasses a person’s sense of status, whether it is in a family, work, or cultural context. It includes things like physical appearance, the amount of respect you get from others, and your attitude towards it. Here are some examples of what defines a lifestyle:

Earlier studies on lifestyle focused on the analysis of individual positions and social structure. But Max Weber, who published The Science of Living in 1922, shifted the focus of the field to lifestyle. The sociological perspective in this field was largely based on sociological studies. Weber, for instance, suggested that individuals adopt specific’schemes of life’ and conspicuous consumption patterns based on the desire to achieve distinction and to imitate their superiors.

In Canada, for example, a study called PRECISE examined a cohort of older people. Researchers recruited randomly selected individuals and assessed their health by self-reporting various chronic diseases. The study also considered the subjects’ smoking habits, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, and physical activity. Among these, body mass index (BMI) was considered a significant lifestyle factor. While alcohol consumption and BMI were considered unhealthy lifestyle factors, physical activity and BMI were also studied.

Among the known benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, a small proportion of adults live a healthy lifestyle. Few people realize that lifestyle plays a major role in health and the emergence of chronic diseases. Moreover, the term lifestyle is perceived as a personal issue, reflecting individual, group, and socioeconomic identities. By promoting a balanced lifestyle, people can achieve a better quality of life and maintain their health. Whether this means maintaining a healthy diet, living in a maintenance-free independent living residence, or engaging in an active lifestyle community, these factors are important for health.