As a concept, lifestyle is complex and has been widely used in scientific research and studies. Yet, no one definition of the term is accepted by all researchers. Instead, the concept of a lifestyle has been defined and analysed within different currents of sociological thought – such as the theories of Weber or Bourdieu. The concept of a lifestyle has also been explored and analysed from a psychological perspective.
Starting with Alfred Adler, this perspective interprets the notion of a lifestyle as principally a style of thinking. According to this theory, the framework of guiding values and principles that individuals develop in their first 4 or 5 years define a system of judgement that guides reactions and behaviours throughout the rest of their lives.
The second approach considers a lifestyle to be a social phenomenon that emerges as a result of the various ways in which people try to satisfy their needs and desires. According to this theory, some individuals are oriented toward the need for security, others are more focused on the need for self-gratification or on the need for recognition. Thus, the variety of methods and possibilities for satisfying these basic needs leads to a diversity of lifestyles.
It is this aspect that gave rise to the concept of a lifestyle as a social construct in the sense of a system of organisation that is established by the way people use consumption patterns to communicate their identities and achieve a sense of belonging. This approach was criticised by Veal because it did not examine in detail the process that led to the constitution of a lifestyle. Moreover, it was not clear how this concept was measured or how values interacted and influenced an individual’s behaviour.
A third and more recent trend considers a lifestyle to be a non-verbal form of expression that is manifested in the attitudes and behaviours that determine consumption. This approach was criticised by Veal as well because it did not examine in depth the ways in which consumers use their consumption habits to express themselves and to create a sense of identity. Moreover, it was not clear how these concepts were measured or how values interacted and influenced individual’s consumption behaviour.
This article reexamines these three main perspectives of a lifestyle and explores how they relate to health. The article suggests that a lifestyle that is high in saturated fat, salt and sugar may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is therefore important that young people make healthy choices in their diet and avoid fast food and processed foods.
In addition, the article argues that a lifestyle that is low in energy and insufficiently active can lead to weight gain, poor sleep, fatigue and a lack of enjoyment in life. A lifestyle that is high in exercise, good quality sleep and good nutrition can improve these outcomes. A lifestyle that is based on purchasing locally, avoiding waste and buying secondhand and nearly new goods can also be beneficial for an individual’s health and the environment.