title: Compliance with a healthy lifestyle in a representative sample of the Greek population: preliminary results of the Hellas Health I study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate lifestyle health behaviours, such as smoking, physical activity, weight status and dietary habits, in a representative sample of the adult Greek population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, household interviews (Hellas Health I survey, 2006).
  
  
  METHODS
  A stratified representative sample (n = 1005, 483 males, 522 females) of the Greek adult population (mean age 47.39 years, median age 46 years, range 18-99 years) was interviewed. Self-reported demographic and lifestyle behaviour data were obtained. The Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was used to record dietary habits, and a Mediterranean score was derived from the FFQ to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A higher Mediterranean score indicates greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Physical activity was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Smoking is highly prevalent in the Greek population (43.1%), particularly among people aged 18-36 (52.9%) and 37-56 years (51.9%). Smoking prevalence was 52.4% in men and 34.5% in women (P < 0.001). In total, 54.1% of men and 45.3% of women were classified as physically active (P = 0.007). The proportion of physically active subjects decreased with age (P for trend<0.001). The prevalence of obesity was higher in women (18.3%) than men (14.3%, P < 0.001), and increased with age (P for trend<0.001). Men were found to have higher Mediterranean scores than women (27.09 vs 26.14, P < 0.05). Dietary habits also differed between younger and older participants, and the Mediterranean score increased with age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence rates for smoking, physical inactivity and obesity are high, and compliance with the Mediterranean diet is low in Greece. Nationwide interventions focused on health promotion and primary prevention are urgently needed.
authors: Centre for Health Services Research, Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 25 Alexandroupoleos St., 11527 Athens, Greece.
authors: F T
authors: FT
authors: Filippidis
authors: Ch
authors: Ch
authors: Tzavara
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Dimitrakaki
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Tountas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult