Intergenerational Study of Media Consumption and Lifestyle among Nahavand Citizens with an Emphasis on Public Health

Subject Areas : Health Management Services

Manouchehr Khazaei ¹ , Ali Roshanaie ² , Kamal Javanmard ³

1 - Department of Sociology, Shah.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 - Department of Sociology, Shah.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 - Department of Sociology, Shah.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2025-12-04 Accepted : 2026-01-24 Published : 2025-12-17

Keywords: Health-oriented lifestyle, media consumption, generational differences, Nahavand citizens, generational gap.,

Abstract :

Introduction: The present study was conducted with the aim of examining the relationship between media consumption and health-oriented lifestyle across different generations of citizens in Nahavand.

Methods: This research employed a quantitative approach and a cross-sectional survey method. The statistical population included all citizens of Nahavand, and the sample size was determined to be 383 individuals using Cochran’s formula. Sampling was carried out through a combination of cluster and disproportionate stratified methods while considering the geographic welfare index across 20 neighborhoods of the city. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire, and its reliability was confirmed through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.

Findings: The findings revealed that generational differences play a decisive role in patterns of media consumption and health-oriented lifestyles. Younger generations, compared to middle-aged and older groups, demonstrated higher motivation, opportunity, and competency in media use and primarily managed their health behaviors—such as hygiene and self-care practices, healthy leisure activities, proper dietary choices, and body management—through media resources. In contrast, older generations relied more on face-to-face and traditional interactions and did not show significant differences from the middle-aged generation in adopting a health-oriented lifestyle.

Conclusion: ANOVA results further confirmed a significant relationship between the level of media consumption and both health-oriented and consumerist lifestyles. Theoretical interpretation of the findings, based on the perspectives of Mannheim, Giddens, Bourdieu, Inglehart, Castells, and media theories such as Uses and Gratifications and Media System Dependency, indicates that generational shifts in lifestyle and media consumption reflect broader structural transformations and a rethinking of traditions and health-related behaviors.

Accordingly, it is recommended that cultural and media institutions consider generational differences when designing content, enhance media literacy education at various levels, and create spaces for intergenerational dialogue as well as health-oriented cultural and recreational alternatives in order to prevent the expansion of generational gaps in lifestyle and media consumption.

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