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Healthier lifestyles were linked to more TCIM use in Brazil

Two women sit at a round white table in a bright, minimalist consultation space; one woman with braided hair faces away from the camera while the second woman in a gray cardigan holds a tablet and appears to be conducting a wellness or health consultation, with a notebook and white mug visible on the table.
Research area:Health SciencesPublic healthCross-sectional study

What the study found

Healthier lifestyle profiles were positively associated with the adoption of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (TCIM), a term that includes practices such as acupuncture, homeopathy, medicinal plants, and phytotherapy. All three lifestyle profiles identified in the study showed high sedentary behavior.

Why the authors say this matters

The authors conclude that TCIM practices may reflect broader health-oriented behavioral patterns. They say the findings support considering these approaches in public health planning.

What the researchers tested

The researchers conducted a secondary analysis of the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey. They grouped physical activity, sedentary behavior, and diet into lifestyle profiles using two-step cluster analysis, then assessed self-reported TCIM use with logistic regression models in 90,814 people aged over 15 years.

What worked and what didn't

Three lifestyle profiles were identified, and all had a high prevalence of sedentary behavior. People with healthier lifestyle patterns were significantly more likely to report TCIM adoption than those in the least healthy profile (adjusted OR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.34–1.81).

What to keep in mind

The abstract does not describe detailed limitations beyond the use of self-reported TCIM and the fact that this was a secondary analysis of survey data. The findings are specific to the Brazilian national sample studied.

Key points

  • The study found a positive association between healthier lifestyle profiles and TCIM use.
  • TCIM in this study included acupuncture, homeopathy, medicinal plants, and phytotherapy.
  • Three lifestyle profiles were identified, and all showed high sedentary behavior.
  • The least healthy profile was about 25% of the sample, according to the abstract's summary points.
  • Healthier lifestyle patterns were linked to higher odds of reporting TCIM adoption (adjusted OR 1.55).

Disclosure

Research title:
Healthier lifestyles were linked to more TCIM use in Brazil
Authors:
Leticia Schmitz Nacur de Almeida, Julianne Fic Alves, Gislaine Terezinha Amaral Nienov, Marcus Vinícius Veber Lopes, Jhonatan Wélington Pereira Gaia, Tuane Sarmento, Renato Cláudino, Thiago Sousa Matias
Institutions:
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina
Publication date:
2026-02-28
DOI:
10.1016/j.aimed.2026.100635
OpenAlex record:
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AI provenance: This post was generated by OpenAI. The original authors did not write or review this post.

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