Health-Related Lifestyle Profiles and sociodemographic correlates in an Italian Academic community

Background and objectives: Promoting healthy behaviors throughout life is an essential prevention tool against chronic disease onset and progression in adulthood. This study aims to explore the lifestyles of an Italian academic community to plan targeted initiatives to promote and improve healthy lifestyles in students and employees with consequent impact on their entourage. Methods: A sample of 8715 adults (mean age = 26 years; range = 18-76; 30% male) participated in an online survey designed to evaluate the associations among lifestyle profiles (including diet, physical activity, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption), sociodemographic factors (age, gender, and academic role), and Body Mass Index (BMI). Lifestyle profiles were identified through cluster analysis, and a multinomial logistic regression was then performed to relate clusters obtained to sociodemographic variables and BMI. Results: Data show that older age was associated with the probability of belonging to the clusters with the worst behavior in smoking and alcohol consumption, but with the healthiest diet. The younger the age, the greater the probability of belonging to the more physically active cluster. Men were more likely than women to belong to the lifestyle profile with the highest alcohol consumption and the highest physical activity. Lower BMI was associated with the highest amount of physical activity profile. Conclusion: This study shed light on factors associated with different co-occurring health-related behaviors that should be considered in planning effective communication strategies promoting adherence to health claims.