F. H. FU ET AL.
pendently associated with age in female, whereas waist was
associated with age and smoking. In male, sleeping hours and
working hours were independently associated with BMI,
whereas waist was independently associated with age, smoking,
sleeping hours and working hours (Ko et al., 2007). The effects
and implications of different lifestyle on the health of mid-
dle-aged people still need more investigations.
Summary
While Hong Kong has made tremendous stride in economical
development, its workforce is also becoming old. Middle-aged
people are experiencing health crisis after years of hard work
and competitions in life. The rapid growth and epidemic of
non-communicable diseases, which is already responsible for
some 60% of world deaths, is clearly related to changes in
global dietary patterns and increased consumption of industri-
ally processed fatty, salty and sweet foods (WHO, 2002). It is
commonly accepted that lifestyle is one of the most important
factors associated with health. Although heredity might play an
important role in determining life expectancy and health, the
individual’s lifestyle is, along with the environment, one of the
most modifiable factors. Health promotion aims to encourage
habits and lifestyles conducive to attaining old age and quality
of life should be organized. This notion has been encapsulated
by the term “healthy ageing”, and is a concept actively pro-
moted by WHO and other agencies (WHO, 1998). Lifestyle
management thus plays an important role in the daily life of
middle-aged people.
Our study on lifestyle management of 40 - 59 years cohort in
Hong Kong found that: 1) Male are more prone to become
over-weight and obese (abdominal) than female (32.4% vs.
17.2%, 5.2% vs. 2.0%). 2) 41.5% of male and 52.5% of female
at this age never exercise at all. 3) Most of the people (72.7%,
84.7%) have regular meals and breakfast. Female eats more
snacks than male. 4) 57.8% of the people at this age have 6 to 8
hours of sleeping per day. 5) Drinking and smoking are not
popular (16.2%, 10.0%). 6) 22.3% of the people seeks the help
of medication to stay healthy. The annual expense of medicine
is higher than physical exercise. 7) Sedentary workers have
more healthy lifestyles and less abdominal obesity than labor
worker for they exercise more and drink and smoke less. 8)
Cluster analysis showed that proper exercise, adequate sleeping
and eating less snacks can help to control body-weight, drink-
ing and smoking, the latter may have close relationship with
abdominal obesity. Regular meals and usage of medication may
have special implications on health.
We strongly suggest that middle-aged people in Hong Kong
should exercise more, reduce their medication usage, maintain
proper dietary pattern and sleep adequately. Furthermore, fe-
male should cut down on their snacks taking and blue collar
workers should change their drinking and smoking habit.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of Prof.
Chung PK, Prof. Lena Fung, Prof. Leung Meelee, and Ms.
Mavis Pang in the design of the research project. Also to the
Centre for the Advancement of Social Sciences , HKBU for her
support in conducting the survey and data analyses and the Dr.
Stephen Research Centre of Physical Recreation and Wellness,
HKBU for funding.
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