A cross-national comparison of lifestyle between China and the United States, using a comprehensive cross-national measurement tool of the healthfulness of lifestyles: the Lifestyle Index.
BACKGROUND
Extensive studies have revealed the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the role of each lifestyle factor in health. However, lifestyle factors have rarely been studied simultaneously. The authors propose an integrated approach to summarize total healthfulness of lifestyles and to enhance understanding of lifestyle patterns across countries.


METHODS
The authors created an overall measure of lifestyle called the Lifestyle Index (LI), integrating diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol use to provide a global tool of monitoring healthfulness and patterns of lifestyles. Using the LI, the authors conducted a cross-national comparison between China (n = 8352) and the United States (n = 9750).


RESULTS
The LI effectively reflected the healthfulness of lifestyle components in both countries. The mean of the LI scores was slightly higher in China than the US. Scores of diet quality, physical activity, and smoking were higher in China, but scores of alcohol behavior were higher in the US. Similar lifestyle patterns but different unhealthy behaviors were identified in these countries.


CONCLUSIONS
An assessment of total healthfulness of lifestyles and a better understanding of lifestyle patterns across countries using the LI can provide practical guidance to developing and targeting public health promotion activities to improve global public health.
Kim
Soowon
S
Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina School of Public Health, 123 W. Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-3997, USA.
Popkin
Barry M
BM
Siega-Riz
Anna Maria
AM
Haines
Pamela S
PS
Arab
Lenore
L
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology