Link between healthy lifestyle and psychological well-being in Lithuanian adults aged 45–72: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: BMJ open 2017-04, Vol.7 (4), p.e014240-e014240
• Main Authors: Sapranaviciute-Zabazlajeva, Laura, Luksiene, Dalia, Virviciute, Dalia, Bobak, Martin, Tamosiunas, Abdonas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Alcohol; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Body mass index; Cardiovascular disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - epidemiology; Diet; Divorce; Education; Educational Status; Employment; Employment - statistics & numerical data; Epidemiology; Exercise; Female; Fruit; Fruits; Health behavior; Health risk assessment; Healthy Lifestyle; High density lipoprotein; Humans; Lifestyles; Lithuania - epidemiology; Male; Marital Status - statistics & numerical data; Mens health; Mental Health; Middle Aged; Nutrition; Older people; Physical fitness; Public Health; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Smoking - epidemiology; Social Participation; Sociodemographics; Socioeconomic factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Urban Population; Vegetables; Well being; Womens health
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014240

ObjectiveThis study uses a cross-sectional study design to analyse the connection between psychological well-being (PWB) and components of a healthy lifestyle in the Lithuanian population aged 45–72. The purpose of our study is to establish the links between PWB and lifestyle factors such as physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and dietary patterns in people above the age of 44.ParticipantsA stratified sample of 10 940 urban citizens aged 45–72 years were randomly selected from the National Population Register. The response rate was 65%.MethodsPWB was evaluated by using a Control Autonomy Self-realization and Pleasure (CASP-12) questionnaire. The standard questionnaire included questions regarding the respondent's sociodemographic, socioeconomic and social status. The lifestyle questionnaire evaluated behavioural factors as smoking status, alcohol consumption, nutrition habits and physical activity. Objective measurements of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors were taken.ResultsAdjusted for sociodemographic, socioeconomic, social and biological CVD risk factors, the probability of higher PWB increased for physically active men and women and male former smokers. Higher PWB was directly associated with consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits. Responders who consumed potatoes, meat, boiled vegetables and eggs less frequently than average were more likely to have higher PWB. A direct association was ascertained between PWB and consumption of chicken and fish, as well as an inverse association between PWB and consumption of sweets in women.ConclusionsHealthy lifestyle education efforts should focus on increasing physical activity, controlling smoking and improving diversity in healthy food consumption including the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits, particularly among older adults with lower PWB.