ABSTRACT
This study was carried out to describe the lifestyle profile behavior of middle age working women, and examining the association between lifestyle behavior and the presence of health related chronic conditions. This study was carried on 125 non pregnant middle age [30-60 years] working women from 4 different work sites. Among the important studied issues of lifestyle practice assessed using a structured interview questionnaire that modified and revised by the researchers nutritional practice, physical exercise, rest and sleep practice, stress management, health care practice, and health perception. The tool also include other items about demographic characteristics, present health status and health status indicators [Body Mass Index [BMI], blood pressure, and blood analysis for blood glucose, cholesterol and hemoglobin that assessed by the researchers]. The data from the interviews were analyzed using SPSS, yielded frequencies, mean, standard deviation, pearson's product moment correlation and one way analysis of variance [ANOVA]. The findings of this study revealed that the mean age of women was 41.01 +/- 6. The practice of physical exercise was the lowest lower score, only .8% practicing regular exercise, and 68.7% have moderate perception of their health, even the healthy women. Also, a positive correlation was found between higher nutritional score and practicing exercise. About 36.8% have chronic condition, 16% of conditions are detected and referred. WHO categorization of BMI [normal < 25, overweight > or = 25 < 30, obese > or = 30 < 39, morbidly obese > or = 39] was used to assess obesity, 75.2% of participants were found to be obese or morbidly obese, the mean BMI was 33.29 +/- 5.08. There was a positive correlation between BMI and elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Also a positive correlation between elevated systolic and diastolic blood pressure and high cholesterol level. In conclusion, lifestyle practice continues to have a significant impact on women's health status. Nursing interventions are essential to enhance health lifestyle practice among middle age working women