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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2024 Jan 1.
Published in final edited form as: Nurs Res. 2022 Dec 9;72(2):83–92. doi: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000633

Table 1.

Definitions of Ideal, Intermediate and Poor for Each Life’s Simple 7 Health Factor

Health Factor Ideal (2 points) Intermediate (1 point) Poor (0 points)
Healthy Diet Score* 4–5 components 2–3 components 0–1 Components
Physical Activity ≥ 75 min/wka vigorous OR ≥ 150 min/wk moderate 1–74 min/wk vigorous OR 1–149 min/wk moderate OR no vigorous of moderate
Cigarette Smoking Never smoked or former smoker and quite > 12 months ago Former smoker and quit ≤ 12 months ago Current smoker
Body Mass Index < 25 kg/m2 25 to < 30 kg/m2
≥ 30 kg/m2
Blood Pressure Systolic and Diastolic SBP < 120 mm Hg and DBP < 80 mm Hg (not treated) SBP 120–139 mm Hg or DBP 80–89 mm Hg or treated to goal SBP ≥ 140 mm Hg or DBP ≥ 90 mm Hg
Total Cholesterol < 200 mg/dL (not treated) 200–239 mg/dL or treated to goal ≥ 240 mg/dL
Fasting Blood Glucose < 100 mg/dL (not treated) 100–125 mg/dL or treated to goal ≥ 126 mg/dL

Note: min/wk = minutes per week; kg/m2= kilograms per square meter; mm Hg= millimeters of mercury; mg/dL = milligrams per deciliter

*

1 point received for each dietary component in ideal range: ≥ 4.5 cups of fruits and vegetables per day; ≥ two 3.5- oz servings of fish per week; ≥ 3 1 ounce-equivalent servings/day of whole grains; ≤ 450 kcal (36 oz)/week of sugar-sweetened beverages; and answered yes to 2 of 3 sodium intake questions (i.e., I do not eat prepackaged or processed foods, I choose lower sodium options, I do not add salt to my food)