Perception of Iranian older adults about healthy lifestyle: a qualitative study

Healthy lifestyle, as a social determinant of health, is an important source of health promotion especially among older adults. Given the association of lifestyle to the social context, explaining and knowing the concept of healthy lifestyle may have a great impact on making the health promotion interventions more appropriate. The aim of this study was to describe the healthy lifestyle as older adults perceive it. Method & materials: A qualitative content analysis approach was used in this study. A purposeful sample of 16 community dwelling older adults aged 60 years or more were interviewed. Peer check, member check and prolonged engagement were considered for trustworthiness. The healthy lifestyle composed of 2 main personal and social health related behavioral categories and included 12 subcategories of: doing healthy habits, having social roles, maintaining inter- personal relationships, having good quality sleep, stress control, prevention of health deterioration, doing daily living activities, observance on healthy food, passing good leisure time, having purpose in life and being mentally active. Behaviors related to healthy lifestyle in Iranian older adults are influenced by Islamic- Iranian culture and can be divided in two major groups: personal and social.