title: Association of lifestyle factors and suboptimal health status: a cross-sectional study of Chinese students.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Suboptimal health status (SHS) is considered to be an intermediate status between disease and health, and is characterised by a decline in vitality, in physiological function and in the capacity for adaptation. Although the incidence of SHS is high, the underlying causes remain unclear. Lifestyle is one of the most important factors affecting health status; however, the relationship between SHS and lifestyle has not been elucidated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire, based on 'Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II)' and 'Sub-Health Measurement Scale V1.0 (SHMS V1.0)', was sent to four colleges in four districts (Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhanjiang and Shaoguan) of China between May and July 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 12 429 questionnaires were distributed during the study period, and 11 144 completed responses were received.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence rates for the 'healthy', 'SHS' and 'disease' groups of respondents (students) were 22.81% (2542), 55.9% (6234) and 21.25% (2368), respectively. Most of the students reported a 'moderate' or 'good' lifestyle. There were significant differences in lifestyle and health status between the two genders. It was notable that health status was significantly positively correlated with lifestyle (r=0.563). For every dimension of the HPLP-II model, the mean values were lower for those participants who reported as 'SHS' or 'disease' than for those who reported that they were 'healthy'. The individual dimensions of the HPLP-II model, including 'spiritual growth', 'health responsibility', 'physical activity', 'interpersonal relations' and 'stress management' were all related to SHS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health status is significantly positively correlated with lifestyle. Poor lifestyle is a risk factor for SHS. Conversely, adopting a healthier lifestyle can improve SHS.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ChiCTR-OCH-12002317.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Jianlu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bi
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Ya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Jingru
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Jieyu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Liuguo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatic diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yanyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Ren
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoshan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: EPIDEMIOLOGY; PUBLIC HEALTH; SOCIAL MEDICINE