title: Living longer and feeling better: healthy lifestyle, self-rated health, obesity and depression in Ireland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The combination of four protective lifestyle behaviours (being physically active, a non-smoker, a moderate alcohol consumer and having adequate fruit and vegetable intake) has been estimated to increase life expectancy by 14 years. However, the effect of adopting these lifestyle behaviours on general health, obesity and mental health is less defined. We examined the combined effect of these behaviours on self-rated health, overweight/obesity and depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using data from the Survey of Lifestyle Attitudes and Nutrition (SLAN) 2007 (), a protective lifestyle behaviour (PLB) score was constructed for 10,364 men and women (>18 years), and representative of the Republic of Ireland adult population (response rate 62%). Respondents scored a maximum of four points, one point each for being physically active, consuming five or more fruit and vegetable servings daily, a non-smoker and a moderate drinker.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-fifth of respondents (20%) adopted four PLBs, 35% adopted three, 29% two, 13% one and 2% adopted none. Compared to those with zero PLBs, those with four were seven times more likely to rate their general health as excellent/very good [OR 6.8 95% CI (3.64-12.82)] and four times more likely to have better mental health [OR 4.4 95% CI (2.34-8.22)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adoption of core protective lifestyle factors known to increase life expectancy is associated with positive self-rated health, healthier weight and better mental health. These lifestyles have the potential to add quality and quantity to life.
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. j.harrington@ucc.ie
authors: Janas
authors: J
authors: Harrington
authors: Ivan J
authors: IJ
authors: Perry
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Lutomski
authors: Anthony P
authors: AP
authors: Fitzgerald
authors: Frances
authors: F
authors: Shiely
authors: Hannah
authors: H
authors: McGee
authors: Margaret M
authors: MM
authors: Barry
authors: Eric
authors: E
authors: Van Lente
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Morgan
authors: Emer
authors: E
authors: Shelley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires