Lifestyle refers to the personal choices and patterns of behaviour an individual, group or culture adopts and uses to achieve their goals. It is a complex construct, which may include both internal and external factors, but is usually distinguished from personality traits by its focus on the dynamics of action and behaviour. Several studies and theories have been proposed to describe this concept, but it remains difficult to identify a clear definition of lifestyle.
Internal interpretations of lifestyle focus on an organisation of personality, a system of values or a pattern of behaviour justified by values, attitudes and orientations. In this way, they differ from personality theory, which defines it as a series of innate characteristics that are established in early childhood.
These approaches are mainly psychological, and they have an important role in the field of psychotherapy, with the aim of helping individuals to fulfil their potential and realise their dreams. In contrast, external interpretations of lifestyle are based on the notion that the lifestyle reflects the sociocultural context of an individual.
The earliest sociological studies of lifestyle mainly analyse an individual’s position within the social structure: Thorstein Veblen opens this perspective with his concept of conspicuous consumption, which is linked to a desire for differentiation from social strata that are identified as inferior and a desire for emulation of those who possess the prestige he considers to be desirable. This analysis is later consolidated by Max Weber, who defines lifestyle as the distinctive elements of status groups, while Georg Simmel and Pierre Bourdieu develop more formal analyses of lifestyles in which they are considered as a combination of synchronic and diachronic dimensions, resulting from social practices that are perceived as prestigious.
Despite the importance of these theories, they are limited to analysing behavioural patterns and tend to ignore the psychological, identity and life span dimensions. Similarly, the current sociomedical discourse on lifestyle often defines it as a set of habits that influence the state of an individual’s health and wellbeing (e.g. the presence or absence of risk behaviours such as smoking and excessive alcohol intake, and regular exercise).
This approach is problematic because it focuses exclusively on the behavioural component, which does not take into account the complex and multifaceted nature of lifestyle. A more adequate theoretical and research framework should be developed, incorporating all aspects of lifestyle in order to understand the complexity of its influences on health. This would allow for a more effective approach to the promotion of healthy lifestyles. It is essential that public health campaigns address all these aspects to ensure a truly integrated approach to public health. In this way, it will be possible to reduce the burden of preventable diseases and improve quality of life. It is also necessary to emphasise the role of lifestyle as a determinant of chronic illnesses, and as a key factor in promoting a healthier and more sustainable world. This is a challenge to all stakeholders involved in public health.