Sample Characteristics
Over half of participants were women (51%). Over half (56%) were aged between 18 and 44 years. Social classes 1-2 and 3-4 accounted for the majority of the sample (69%). Nearly one fifth were non-drinkers, almost half were moderate drinkers (46%) and the remainder reported hazardous drinking patterns. Approximately half of participants were never smokers. Overall activity levels were moderate, (48%), with over one fifth reporting high activity levels (24%). After IPAQ scores were treating using the data processing guideline, the mean IPAQ score for the participants was 1,5713.4 and the maximum score was 14,940. Almost half reported a poor or fair diet (48%) and the remainder reported good, very good or excellent diet (see Table
1).
Table 1
Weighted Sample Characteristics
GENDER (n = 10,278) | | |
Men
| 5063 | 49% |
Women
| 5215 | 51% |
AGE (n = 10,277) | | |
18-29 yrs
| 2588 | 25% |
30-44 yrs
| 3199 | 31% |
45-64 yrs
| 2977 | 29% |
65+
| 1513 | 15% |
SOCIAL CLASS (n = 10,278) | | |
SC1-2
| 3227 | 31% |
SC3-4
| 3869 | 38% |
SC5-6
| 1649 | 16% |
Unclassified
| 1533 | 15% |
AUDIT-C (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption) (n = 10, 252) | | |
0 (non drinkers) | 1909 | 19% |
1-5 (moderate drinkers) | 4663 | 46% |
6-8 (problematic) | 2257 | 22% |
9-12 (very problematic) | 1423 | 14% |
DASH (Dietary Approach To Stop Hypertension) (n = 7,429) | | |
1 (poor) | 1822 | 25% |
2 (fair) | 1700 | 23% |
3 (good) | 1191 | 16% |
4 (very good) | 1447 | 20% |
5 (excellent) | 1269 | 17% |
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (n = 10,051) | | |
Low | 2873 | 29% |
Moderate | 4779 | 48% |
High | 2399 | 24% |
SMOKING (n = 10,163) | | |
Former | 1956 | 19% |
Current | 2888 | 28% |
Never | 5319 | 52% |
Two Step Cluster analysis identified six distinct cluster groups with homogenous patterns of health-related behaviours. Of the 7,350 participants, 21% (n = 1564) were classified as Former Smokers, 15% (n = 1,075) as Temperate, 18% (n = 1310) as Physically Inactive, 9% (n = 681) as Healthy Lifestyle, 17% (n = 1,248) as Multiple Risk Factor and 20% (n = 1,472) as a Mixed Lifestyle.
Cluster Profiles: Description, socio-demographic profile, mental health and well being
This section will detail the characteristics of each cluster and identify the specific group of people who were most likely to be in particular cluster. Table
2), the Healthy Lifestyle cluster was identified as the reference category. See Additional File
1.
Table 2
Crude and Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for risk associated with lifestyle cluster group membership.
Sex
| Female | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | |
| Male | 1.50** | 1.20-1.87 | 1.68** | 1.32-2.12 | 3.53** | 2.88-4.34 | 3.63** | 2.92-4.51 | 3.12** | 2.59-3.92 | 3.85** | 3.07-4.82 | 2.16** | 1.75-2.67 | 2.39** | 1.91-3.01 | 2.78 | 2.25-3.43 | 3.21** | 2.55-4.04 |
Social class
| SC5-6 | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | |
| SC3-4 | .82 | .63-1.05 | .69* | .49-.97 | .99 | .77-1.27 | .66* | .48- .90 | .64** | .51-.82 | .60* | .43-.82 | .72* | .57-.93 | .47** | .34-.64 | .80 | .63-1.03 | .47** | .34- .64 |
| SC1-2 | .80 | .62-1.04 | .63* | .47-.93 | 1.05 | .81-1.34 | .71* | .51- .97 | .45** | .35-.58 | .41** | .30-.57 | .58** | .45-.75 | .38** | .27-.53 | .49** | .38-.63 | .29** | .21- .40 |
Age
| Over 65 | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | | 1 | |
| 45-64 yrs | 1.14 | .88-1.48 | 1.20 | .90-1.61 | .97 | .76-1.23 | 1.00 | .77-1.31 | .65* | .51-.84 | .70* | .53-.92 | 1.70** | 1.30-2.24 | 1.77** | 1.30-2.41 | 1.55* | 1.17-2.05 | 1.56* | 1.14-2.13 |
| 30-44 yrs | 1.48* | 1.31-1.94 | 1.72** | 1.128-2.33 | 1.05 | .82-1.34 | 1.16 | .88-1.53 | .88 | .69-1.14 | 1.10 | .82-1.46 | 2.74** | 2.07-3.62 | 3.33** | 2.44-4.56 | 2.60** | 1.95-3.40 | 3.22** | 2.35-4.41 |
| 18-29 yrs | 1.64* | 1.15-2.34 | 1.73* | 1.15-2.61 | .96 | .69-1.35 | 1.28 | .87-1.88 | 2.75** | 2.00-3.77 | 3.33** | 2.30-4.80 | 4.73** | 3.35-6.68 | 5.92** | 3.98-8.79 | 5.33** | 3.78-7.53 | 7.38** | 4.98-10.94 |
Psychological Distress
| MHI-5 (RAND SF36) | ..83* | .74-.93 | .87 | ..76-1.01 | .89* | .80-.97 | .97 | .84-1.11 | .78** | .70-.87 | .78* | .68-.90 | .72** | .64-.80 | .76** | .66-.87 | .64** | .58-.71 | .77* | .67- .89 |
Energy and Vitality | EVI (RAND SF36) | .84* | .74-.96 | .89 | .75-1.06 | .85* | .75-.96 | .78* | .66-.91 | .89 | .78-1.01 | .96 | .81-1.13 | .80** | .70-.90 | .90 | .76-1.06 | .64** | .56-.72 | .68** | .58- .80 |
The Healthy Lifestyle cluster (n = 681, 9.3%) reported relatively high levels of physical activity (IPAQ = 1544.98; high), were never smokers and had an excellent diet with all members scoring a DASH diet score of 5, representing the majority amongst the clusters. The majority were moderate drinkers (scoring 1-5) (67%), while one third were non-drinkers. Compared to the other clusters, individuals reported the highest levels of energy vitality (69.9), lowest levels of psychological distress (84.8), highest percentage with 'excellent' or 'very good' health (64.7%) and 'good' or very good' quality of life (91.6%). Compared to the other clusters, individuals in the Healthy Lifestyle cluster were more likely to be women, aged 65 years and over in the highest social class and report lower psychological distress.
The Former Smokers cluster (n = 1,564, 21%) accounted for 98% of former smokers in the population, reported the highest physical activity levels (mean IPAQ = 2569.74; high). Over half were moderate drinkers (scoring 1-5) and over 40% had a healthy diet. Individuals reported levels of energy and vitality (67.7) similar to the population average. Individuals reported above average low levels of psychological distress. (83.5). The percentage who reported 'excellent' or 'very good' health self-rated health and 'good or very good' quality of life was the same as general population proportions. Compared to the Healthy Lifestyle cluster, former smokers tended to include far more men (Adjusted OR = 3.63) and fewer members of the highest social class grouping (Adjusted OR = .71). There were no significant differences in age or psychological distress.
The Temperate cluster (n = 1,075, 14.6%) comprised moderately active (IPAQ = 1322.71; moderate), never smokers and moderate drinkers (scoring 1-5). DASH diet scores were mainly healthy but there were no high scores. Individuals reported levels of energy vitality (67.5) and psychological distress (82.4) similar to the population average. The percentage of those who reported 'excellent' or 'very good' self-rated health (60%) was second highest amongst the clusters, and the percentage reporting 'good' or 'very good' quality of life, 92% was highest compared to the other clusters. Compared to the Healthy Lifestyle cluster, the Temperate included more men (Adjusted OR = 1.63), fewer people of the highest social class (Adjusted OR = .63) and more in the age groups 18-29 years (Adjusted OR = 1.73) and 30-44 years (Adjusted OR = 1.72).
The Physically Inactive cluster (n = 1,310, 18%) reported the lowest levels of physical activity (IPAQ = 1131.19; moderate). Over half (54%) were current smokers and 41% reported hazardous drinking patterns (scoring 6-12). The majority (76%) had poor DASH diet scores. Individuals reported levels of energy and vitality (66.7) below the general population average and higher levels of psychological distress (80.2), which were the highest of all the clusters. The percentage reporting 'excellent or very good' self-rated health was 60% and 'good' or 'very good' quality of life was 88%. Compared to the Healthy Lifestyle cluster, individuals in this cluster were more likely to be men (Adjusted OR = 2.39), far more likely to be aged 18 to 29 years (Adjusted OR = 5.92) and far less likely to be in the highest social class (Adjusted OR = .38). Individuals in this cluster were also far more likely to report higher psychological distress.
The Multiple Risk Factor cluster (n = 1,248, 17%) reported moderate physical activity levels (IPAQ = 1233.20; moderate). The majority were current smokers (98%). Drinking patterns were mixed with nearly 40% moderate drinkers (scoring 1-5) and over 40% problem drinkers (scoring 6-12). DASH diet scores were varied, with over half reporting the lowest diet score and no representation from this cluster in the highest score category. Compared to the other clusters, individuals reported the lowest levels of energy and vitality (63) and highest levels of psychological distress (78.2). This cluster had the lowest percentage reporting 'excellent' or 'very good' self rated health (49%) and 'good' or 'very good' quality of life (84%). Scores on all the mental health and social well-being measures were below the general population average.
Compared to the Healthy Lifestyle cluster, individuals in this cluster were far more likely to be men (Adjusted OR = 3.21) and in the age group 18 to 29 years (Adjusted OR = 7.38). They were far less likely to be in the highest social class (Adjusted OR = .29) and more likely to report higher psychological distress and lower energy and vitality.
The Mixed Lifestyle cluster (n = 1472, 20%) were all never smokers who reported some physical activity (IPAQ = 1134.51; moderate). Over half reported poor diet. While over half (54%) were non-drinkers (scoring 0), almost half (46%) were problem drinkers (scoring 6-12). Levels of energy and vitality (68) and psychological distress (81.6) were similar to population levels. Similarly, the percentage of individuals who reported 'excellent' or 'very good' self-rated health (59%) or 'good' or 'very good' quality of life (89%) were similar to the general population proportions. Compared to the Healthy Lifestyle cluster, individuals in this cluster were far more likely to be men (Adjusted OR = 3.21) and in the age group 18 to 29 years (Adjusted OR = 7.38). They were far less likely to be in the highest social class (Adjusted OR = .29) and more likely to report higher psychological distress and lower energy and vitality.