Combined impact of multiple healthy lifestyles on digestive diseases: a large population-based prospective cohort study
BACKGROUND: Healthy lifestyle modification is widely recommended for preventing digestive system diseases, but the effects of individual and combined behaviors, particularly potential interactions, are not fully understood.
METHODS: This study investigates the association between six healthy lifestyle behaviors (moderate alcohol consumption, never smoking, adequate sleep, regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and limited sedentary behavior) and the risk of 20 digestive system diseases, participants were grouped into high, moderate, and low adherence. Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the associations between these behaviors and disease risk.
RESULTS: Among 267,408 participants, 53,690 (20.08%) were classified as high adherence group, 158,023 (59.09%) as moderate adherence group, and 55,695 (20.83%) as low adherence group. Compared with the low adherence group, the high adherence group had a hazard ratio of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.70 to 0.74) and the moderate adherence group 0.82 (95% CI: 0.80 to 0.84). Each behavior independently reduced risk, indicating there were only additive effects but no synergistic or antagonistic interactions.
CONCLUSIONS: Greater adherence to healthy lifestyle behaviors is associated with a reduced risk of digestive system diseases. The absence of interactions among behaviors simplifies implementation, allowing individuals to focus on adopting as many behaviors as possible to maximize benefits.
Additional Info
-
Authors
Yuan L.; Lan Z.; Zhu J.; Chen Y.; Zhao Y.; Wang N.; Zheng H.; Wan Z.; Liu L.; Sun J.; El-Omar E. M.; Zhao Z.; Li P. -
Issue
Periodical: BMC Med - Volume: 23 - Number: 1 - Edition: 20251121 -
Published Date
21 november 2025
Related items
- Exploring the Associations Between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Autoinflammation-Associated Skin Diseases
- Zero tolerance for 0%? How should clinicians and other practitioners respond to the use of alcohol-free and low-alcohol products in higher risk groups
- The illusion of healthy drinking: Methodological bias and selective reporting of effects shape evidence on alcohol and cardiovascular health
- A review of the relationship between dimensions of alcohol consumption and the burden of disease: 2026 update including Mendelian randomisation studies
- Once-weekly semaglutide versus placebo in patients with alcohol use disorder and comorbid obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial