Current lifestyles present a serious threat to population health, particularly for more disadvantaged groups. Whether it is stopping smoking, losing weight, eating healthier, moving more, our lifestyle behaviours affect every aspect of our lives. We can significantly reduce any risk of mental or physical illness by improving our diet, increasing the amount of exercise we undertake, and addressing low self-esteem. 

Lifestyle behaviours are shaped by the broader cultural and socioeconomic context in which we live. Health checks, stop smoking services, alcohol advice, weight management, nutrition advice, and emotional health and wellbeing support services can often be found through both public and private lifestyle services providers. In the UK many councils and local authorities offer services and programmes with the aim of supporting people to adopt and maintain a healthier way of life.

What do we know about unhealthy behaviour patterns? 

We know multiple unhealthy behaviour patterns tend to cluster. Four health behaviours alone account for nearly half of the burden of diseases in developed countries, namely tobacco smoking, poor diet, hazardous alcohol use, and physical inactivity. All of which are likely to interact with one another to further increase the risk of premature death. Because of this there is an urgent need to tackle this issue in a concerted manner. Hazardous alcohol use and tobacco smoking are the most commonly clustered risk behaviours, while tobacco smoking and poor diet are not far behind. 

Who is affected by poor lifestyle choices?

Young people are at considerable risk of developing significant health issues and diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and obesity due to current lifestyle choices. Sadly, too few young people engage in behaviours that reduce the risk of morbidity and premature mortality, such as eating healthily, being physically active, drinking sensibly and not smoking. 

What studies have helped young people reduce smoking rates?

A randomised control trial study of 1,445 students at the University of Sheffield found that online intervention to promote healthy lifestyle habits delivered during the transition from school to university helped reduce smoking rates.  

The ROARLABS Commitment

At ROARLABS we provide scientific lifestyle services for a life that lasts through a community-centred approach both online and through our local community. We are committed to improving mental health and physical wellbeing in a way that is free from stigma and environmental harm for the whole community.