Introduction to a new book about health, lifestyle, and health promotion

Abstract

Being healthy is much desired by all people. Disease and ill-health are not only ‘‘harvest by chance’’ - many of the determinants of health are well known. We know from research that ill-health as well as the majority of chronic or longstanding diseases are related to unhealthy lifestyles, for example, smoking, wrong diet, physical inactivity, and exaggerated alcohol consumption. Today, we refer to these conditions as ‘‘welfare- or lifestyle diseases.’’ People learn behaviors and habits - rather than those being innate - and these behaviors and habits can be affected by one’s own strength and also be replaced by other more health supporting ones. However, it is not as simple as it sounds to change one’s lifestyle, because it is commonly grounded in structural conditions as well as in gender, class, ethnicity, and sexuality. To change lifestyle, it is necessary to acquire more knowledge and enhance one’s awareness of the relationships between lifestyle and health. Factors that promote health can, for example, be to have a satisfying job and to enjoy economic stability or close social relations. Participation in cultural life also has health promoting effects, independent of earlier cultural habits.

(Published: 20 May 2011)

Citation: Int J Qualitative Stud Health Well-being 2011, 6: 7138 - DOI: 10.3402/qhw.v6i2.7138