A Narrative Review of Lifestyle Models and Theories
Lifestyle is a broad term and there are different definitions. However, the main explicit definitions are from the fields of sociology and psychology. The different perspectives differ on the internal dimension of lifestyle, on the external dimension and on the temporal dimension. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a description and analysis of the different models and theories of lifestyle. The underlying goal is to construct a model that can help to define a more effective theoretical and explanatory framework for developing health practice interventions.The first approach to defining the concept of lifestyle was taken by Alfred Adler, who considered it as a style of personality. He argued that the framework of guiding values and principles developed by individuals in their first 4 or 5 years of life governs their reactions and behaviour throughout their lives. This view of lifestyle has since been incorporated into the psychological perspective, mainly in the field of consumer psychology and the psychology of values.Another approach to defining the concept of lifestyle is based on social structure and individual positions within it. Thorstein Veblen opens up this perspective by arguing that people adopt specific'schemes of life', in particular patterned conspicuous consumption, depending on their desire to distinguish themselves from social strata they consider inferior and their desire for emulation of those they identify as superior. Max Weber and Georg Simmel later carry out a more formal analysis of lifestyles, which is based on the principle that they are a distinctive element of status groups and are the most visible expression of their recognition of prestige. Pierre Bourdieu renews this approach by considering lifestyles as the basic point of intersection between the structures that determine power relations (the 'field') and processes connected with the habits formed by individuals (the 'habitus').In contrast to these sociological approaches, other definitions focus on the individual level and include behavioural patterns that determine consumption. This approach was adopted by Berkman and Gilson, who defined a lifestyle as a set of behavioural patterns that determine consumption. The authors argued that the lifestyle is a non-verbal form of identification and communication of social class and that it provides a meaning to everyday life.A new approach is being proposed in the field of health promotion, which focuses on the concept of healthy lifestyles. This definition includes a range of health behaviours that are associated with a healthy diet, physical activity, and body weight. The underlying idea is that these health behaviours, if practised, can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. This view of lifestyle is increasingly being used in health practice, and it has the potential to be an important component of health promotion interventions. In order to fully develop this vision, it is necessary to understand the factors that determine the lifestyles of individuals, and to understand how these can be changed. This would allow for the development of more effective and meaningful health practice models that would enable us to transform the way in which lifestyles are understood and practised.