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Clustering of Lifestyle Behaviours and the Role of Sustained Physical Activity: A Quantile Regression Approach in a Kosovar Sample

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Lifestyle behaviours tend to cluster, with health-promoting and risk-related behaviours forming structured patterns. However, evidence from Kosovo remains scarce, particularly regarding the role of sustained physical activity. Objective: This study aimed to examine associations between physical activity practice and multiple lifestyle behaviours, including the association between activity duration and lifestyle indicators in a predominantly young community sample. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 229 participants. Lifestyle behaviours were assessed using the EVS-KOS. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, group comparisons (ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis), and quantile regression analyses (q = 0.50) were performed. Physical activity practice was categorized as no practice, <6 months, or ≥6 months. Results: Health-promoting behaviours were positively associated, whereas risk-related behaviours were positively associated with each other and generally negatively associated with health-promoting behaviours. Significant between-group differences were observed for balanced diet, meal timing, and physical activity habits, with higher scores among participants practicing for ≥6 months (η2 = 0.028–0.344). Quantile regression showed significant associations between physical activity practice and physical activity habits, both for <6 months (B = 2.000, p < 0.001) and ≥6 months (B = 2.333, p < 0.001), compared with no practice. No significant associations between physical activity practice and the remaining lifestyle indicators were observed. Conclusions: Physical activity practice was most strongly associated with physical activity habits, particularly among those with longer practice duration. Although between-group differences were also observed for dietary behaviours, associations across lifestyle domains were limited.

Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph23101324

Authors: Marco Batista, Bekim Ramabaja, Paulo Silveira, Samuel Honório, Jorge Santos

Institutions: Universidade Politécnica de Castelo Branco, Instituto Piaget

Language: English

Topic: Physical Activity and Health

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,016