Characteristics of region-specific population that includes day-to-day behaviors and functions constitute lifestyle.¹ Lifestyle is a composite of motivation, needs and wants and is expressed in terms of daily work, attitudes, interests, etc.² In recent decades, lifestyle is being thoroughly researched as a critical determinant of health. The WHO estimates that 60% of factors related to individual health and quality of life correlate with lifestyle.¹

Unhealthy lifestyle are responsible for metabolic diseases, joint and skeletal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, etc.¹ The risk of lifestyle diseases is increasing with counties becoming more industrialized.² 

The 3 key lifestyle behaviors associated with lifestyle disorders are: (i) smoking, (ii) unhealthy diet (includes alcohol abuse), and (iii) physical inactivity. All of these factors culminate in the development of non-communicable and chronic diseases.²

Substantially degenerative diseases such as stroke, obesity, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and certain cancers can actually be considered as the consequence of “contagious” behavior.²

Physical inactivity is associated with almost all common health problems. Furthermore, the importance of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of diseases has been well-established over the years.

Adopting healthy lifestyle changes such as following a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and not smoking–seem to be associated with as much as an 80% reduction in the risk of developing the most common and deadly chronic diseases. Despite knowing the significance of a healthy lifestyle, only a part of the population adopts healthy lifestyle modifications.²

Pertaining to nutrition, there are several guidelines that direct towards nutrition for health maintenance and prevention and management of disease conditions. Research shows that certain foods and food components exert beneficial physiological and psychological effects, besides providing nutrition.²

A healthy diet comprises macronutrients in appropriate proportion and sufficient micronutrients and hydration to support energetic and physiologic needs. While macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) provide the energy necessary for the cellular processes required for daily functioning, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) are essential in smaller amounts for appropriate growth, development, and physiologic functioning and metabolism. 

Healthy dietary patterns are those that comprise greater proportions of health-promoting foods, including plant-based foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, antioxidants, nuts, and omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods, and lesser content of saturated fats and trans fats, animal-derived proteins, and added/refined sugars. Certain dietary patterns that constitute healthy dietary patterns include the traditional Mediterranean and Asian diets and the developed DASH and MIND diets.

Thus, being physically active, abstaining from smoking and choosing healthier food patterns culminate into a healthy lifestyle choice that preserves health and keeps diseases at bay.