Background & Aims: This study aimed to identify the lifestyle patterns of Japanese working women and their associations with women's characteristics.
Methods: The study was conducted based on baseline data from the Japan Nurses' Health Study. Principal component analysis and multivariate regression were used.
Results: Five lifestyle patterns were identified and named balanced dietary pattern, health-compromising pattern, cancer prevention pattern, working and short-sleep pattern and pill intake pattern. Nursing license, marriage status, educational degree, work location, history of shift work, parity, body mass index, age, family history of cancer and prior diagnosis of cancer or a gynecological disorder were associated with lifestyle patterns. In particular, currently or previously married women showed a positive association with balanced dietary pattern, cancer prevention pattern and pill intake pattern. Women having one or more child demonstrated a stronger tendency to adhere to the balanced dietary pattern and cancer prevention pattern, as well as showing a lower tendency towards the health-compromising pattern and pill intake pattern. Elderly women were more likely to adhere to the balanced dietary pattern, and the cancer prevention pattern.
Conclusions: This study identified five distinct lifestyle patterns and may be useful in providing a basis for further work investigating health outcomes.