Influencing mechanisms of lifestyle and dietary factors on chronic diseases among community residents: updated evidence in Shanghai, China.

Objectives This study aimed to determine the risk factors for chronic diseases and identify the potential influencing mechanisms from the perspectives of lifestyle and dietary factors. The findings could provide updated and innovative evidence for the prevention and control of chronic diseases. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting Shanghai, China. Participants 1,005 adults from Yangpu district of Shanghai participated in the study, and responded to questions on dietary habits, lifestyle, and health status. Results Residents suffering from chronic diseases accounted for 34.99% of the respondents. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, diet quality, amount of exercise and tea drinking were related to chronic diseases. Age>60 and overeating (diet balance index total score >0, DBI_TS) had negative additive interaction on the occurrence of chronic disease, while overexercise (Physical activity index>17.1, PAI) and tea drinking had negative multiplicative interaction and negative additive interaction on the occurrence of chronic disease. Diet quality, physical activity, tea drinking was an incomplete mediator of the relationship between types of medical insurance residents participating in and chronic diseases. Conclusions The residents in Yangpu District of Shanghai have a high prevalence of chronic diseases. Strengthening access of residents to health education and interventions to prevent chronic diseases and cultivating healthy eating and exercise habits of residents are crucial. The nutritional environment of the elderly population should be considered, the reimbursement level of different types of medical insurance should be designed reasonably to improve the accessibility of medical and health services and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.