The influences of adopting a healthy lifestyle in young adult women

Abstract

The health lifestyles of young adult women are becoming increasingly important as health issues are often interlinked and the present lifestyle habits are found to have consequences on quality of later life. While previous research on healthy lifestyle habits has encompassed other broad groups of individuals, little research is conducted on the influences of health lifestyles of young adult women. As such, this study seeks to investigate the influences of culture, gender, and socioeconomic status in adopting a healthy lifestyle in young adult women. Using 12 semi-structured interviews, this study explores the lifestyle habits of young women, their perceptions of them, and the various influences in their lifestyle habits, specifically in terms of exercise and dietary habits. Findings from this study highlight structural and cultural facilitators, barriers, and motivators of healthy lifestyle habits. Underlying attitudes, subjective norms and perceived control over lifestyle habits were also found to be important in pursuing healthier lifestyle behavior.