Lifestyle patterns in the Iranian population: Self- organizing map application

Background: The present study evaluated the lifestyle behavior patterns and its associations with demographic factors in the Iranian population. Methods: A total of 8244 people aged 25-70 years who participated in a national survey in 2011 were included in the study. Factors related to lifestyle (such as diet, physical activity, and tobacco use) have been collected using a questionnaire. A self-organizing map was used for cluster analysis and a multinomial logistic model was used for assessment of associations. Results: Seven clusters were identified as the following: cluster 1 (15.84%): healthiest lifestyle; cluster 2 (12.45%): excessive consumption of sweet tasting soft drinks, salt, and fast food; cluster 3 (33.73%): no recreational physical activity; cluster 4 (6.86%) alcohol consumption, smoking, and consumption of sweet tasting soft drinks; cluster 5 (14.18%): less salt and oil intake and lack of physical activity; cluster 6 (7.85%): no use of dairy products; cluster 7 (9.08%): the most unhealthy lifestyles; excessive work-related physical activity and smoking and unhealthy diet. Male gender was associated with higher odds of being in clusters 4 and 7. Individuals who were in unhealthy lifestyle clusters were mostly less educated and more self-employed or laborers. Conclusions: A very small percentage of individuals was in the healthy lifestyle cluster yet they had poor nutrition. Health policy-makers should pay more attention to low recreational physical activity among elder people and in middle-aged and housekeepers, and also to high work-related physical activities that have a strong tendency to be in a cluster with smoking among workers and less educated men.