As with any area of medical or scientific research, the selection of



'factors"'
to be studied cannot be immune from prevailing social values and ideologies. ...
It is also evident that so called lifestyle or behavioural factors (such as the
holy trinity of risks - diet, smoking and exercise) receive a disproportionate
amount of attention. As we have seen, the identification and confirmation of
risk factors is often subject to controversy and the evidence about causal links
is not unequivocal.

Nettleton, S. (1997).  Surveillance, health promotion and the formation of a
risk identity.  In M. Sidell, L. Jones, J. Katz, & A. Peberdy (eds.) Debates and
Dilemmas in Promoting Health, pp. 314-324.  London UK: Open University Press.