Association of a healthy lifestyle index with anthropometric indices and obesity in Hong Kong Chinese women: Evidence from the MECH-HK cohort study

Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations of a healthy lifestyle index (HLI) with several anthropometric indices and obesity among Hong Kong Chinese women. Subjects/Methods: A total of 3174 women (56.16 ± 8.43 years) were included. The HLI consisted of diet, physical activity, sedentary time, sleep duration, skipping breakfast, smoking, and alcohol. Each factor was scored as 0 (unhealthy) or 1 (healthy). The overall HLI was the sum of these points, ranging from 0 (the least healthy) to 7 (healthiest). Percent body fat (PBF), body fat mass (BFM), fat free mass (FFM), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), height, and weight were measured using the InBody 270 device. Results: The number of women with 0–2, 3, 4, 5, 6–7-point HLI groups were 551, 759, 954, 645, and 265, respectively. As HLI increased, most anthropometric indices declined while FFM increased. The adjusted βs (95 % confidence intervals (95 % CIs)) for PBF (%), BFM (kg), WC (cm), WHR, height (cm), weight (kg), BMI (kg/m^2), and FFM (kg) were −0.653 (-0.829, −0.476), −0.582 (-0.751, −0.414), −0.719 (-0.971, −0.467), −0.005 (-0.006, −0.004), −0.181 (-0.347, −0.015), −0.602 (-0.850, −0.355), −0.188 (-0.282, −0.095), and 0.339 (0.213, 0.465), respectively. Additionally, compared to the 0–2-point group, the odds ratios (95 % CIs) of the 6–7-point groups were 0.54 (0.38–0.75) for central obesity and 0.55 (0.37–0.82) for general obesity. Conclusions: HLI was inversely associated with PBF, BFM, WC, WHR, height, weight, BMI, central obesity, and general obesity, but was positively associated with FFM.