Women's life-style pattern in Ahwaz, Iran

Abstract EN

Background : This study investigates risk factors associated with unhealthy life-style pattern, such as unhealthy dietary habits, obesity, lack of physical activity, and smoking behavior, by age, and education attainment. Method : A cross-sectional self-reported questionnaire survey was carried out among married women in Ahwaz, Iran.

A composite dietary behavior score derived from a 24 item food frequency questionnaire, divided into to 2 groups : those above and those below the median value (86) to signify more and less healthy eaters. Results : subjects were 510 married women who were randomly selected from the native households.

The response rate was 92.

7%.

of them, 46.1% had unhealthy dietary behavior, 36.6% were obese, 71.2% had no daily physical activity, and 13.1% were smokers.

Obesity, lack of physical activity, and smoking were more common among less educated women (P < 0.01).

Older women were more likely to be obese, smoker, and have less healthy diet or physical activity (p < 0.05), though this trend appears to be reversed for obesity, diet, and physical activity at over 45 years of age. Conclusions : Educational policy and economic interventions to promote healthier eating and behavior should be targeted to those ,with less healthy lifestyle.

Health professionals in regional health services need to consider the healthy life style patterns as priority and notify them in their educational programs.