What it means
A person's usual habits and daily choices. In health care it appears in "lifestyle changes" or "lifestyle modifications": changes in diet, activity, weight, smoking, alcohol and stress that help prevent or control conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Lifestyle habits are a kind of modifiable risk factorMOD-ih-fy-uh-bul risk FAK-terSomething that raises the chance of a disease and that a person can change, such as smoking or physical activity.Full entry .
For the nurse
Ask about habits without judging. Plan changes together with the client in small, specific steps that fit their culture, budget and daily life.
At a glance
| Also written | lifestyles |
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Related terms
health promotion
Helping people take actions that keep them well and improve their health.
modifiable risk factor
Something that raises the chance of a disease and that a person can change, such as smoking or physical activity.