The Concept of Lifestyle
Lifestyle is the way a person lives and their attitudes and values. It can include the types of food, entertainment and dress they prefer. It can also be the activities they engage in. It is important to have a good lifestyle to enjoy a happy and healthy life.Many people are looking to improve their lifestyle and are taking steps to live a healthier life. This includes changing their diet, exercising more and cutting out bad habits such as smoking. This is because they are aware that a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent illnesses and lead to a longer life.However, there are many different opinions on what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. Some experts believe that a healthy lifestyle should consist of eating a balanced diet and being physically active on a daily basis. This will help to maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. Other experts believe that a healthy lifestyle should include avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol and processed foods. This is because these substances can increase the risk of heart disease and other health problems.Regardless of the exact definition, there is no doubt that lifestyle is a central research topic in medicine, epidemiology and health psychology. The concept of lifestyle is a historical construct and, since the 1970s, it has been linked to social factors that influence health status [1]. The most widespread approach considers individual behavioural patterns that are associated with a high or low level of disease risk [2] and that can be modified by education programmes. However, this approach is limited because it does not consider the context and historical context of the behaviours.Another approach focuses on the notion of lifestyle as an expression of the social position in everyday life. This view is based on the sociological theories of identity and status, and it suggests that lifestyle is a non-verbal, communicative and symbolic process that signifies membership of a particular group or class. The internal dimension is interpreted as a set of values and attitudes, while the external dimension refers to the lifestyle's manifestation in behaviour and activities.Other approaches take a more holistic view of the concept of lifestyle, including a range of psychological and sociological aspects. These models reflect on a broader understanding of the bio-psycho-social nature of health and wellbeing, considering both internal and external dimensions and their changes over time. In addition, they incorporate a salutogenic and ecosystemic perspective and recognise that the lifestyle is an ongoing and dynamic process of repositioning between the subject and the environment. Consequently, the current narrative review examines the main explicit definitions of lifestyle in the psychological and sociological literature and proposes an interpretative framework that considers these three aspects of lifestyle. This aims to shed light on the complex concept of lifestyle and to contribute to a new model of health promotion.