életmód

Életmód is a Hungarian noun meaning “the way of living” or “lifestyle.” It is formed from élet (life) and mód (mode, manner) and is used to describe the patterns of daily life that characterize a person or a group, including habits, values, interests, and routines. In sociology and public health, élétmód refers to the set of behavioral factors that influence health and well-being, such as diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, sleep, and stress management. These factors are often studied as modifiable determinants alongside other influences like socioeconomic status and environment.

The concept is widely used in Hungarian media and commerce as well, appearing in phrases such as egészséges életmód (healthy lifestyle) and in lifestyle sections of newspapers, magazines, and television programs. Researchers measure élétmód through questionnaires and indices that combine multiple factors into a single lifestyle score, recognizing that lifestyle reflects both individual choices and structural conditions.

Culturally, élétmód varies across groups and over time, shaped by tradition, modernization, urbanization, and globalization. While the term provides a convenient umbrella for describing patterns of living, its boundaries are flexible and can differ among disciplines, making it an evolving concept rather than a fixed category.