Simultaneity and aggregation of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases among brazilian adolescents

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of concurrency of risk factors for Noncommunicable Diseases and non-random aggregation of these in Brazilian school adolescents. Method: Descriptive study, with data from the National School Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar), 2015. The prevalence of concurrent risk factors was estimated: smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity and low consumption of fruits and vegetables. Aggregation was verified when the observed-expected prevalence ratio was greater than 1. The analyses were performed in Stata 15.0 software. Results: The proportion of concurrent risk factors was higher for those who had two risk factors (56.1%; 95%CI: 55.5-56.6). The most prevalent risk factors combination was “Low consumption of fruits and vegetables + Physical inactivity” (66%; 95% CI: 65.8-66.9). There was an aggregation of risk factors, and the highest ratio between observed and expected prevalence was: “Smoking + Alcohol” (79.0%; 95%CI: 73.8-84.2). Conclusion and implications for practice: The findings show a high prevalence of concurrent risk factors, with aggregation of these in adolescents. Identifying these risk groups may favor early interventions by minimizing exposure and targeting primary prevention strategies in early exposure to risk factors.

Patterns of lifestyle risk behaviors among Saudi Arabian school students

“…This pattern of clustering was found in a study among Brazilian adolescents. 20 These results suggest that health promotion interventions using multiple health-related behaviours approach should be advocated among adolescents instead of an isolated individual health behaviours approach.…”

Clustering of Lifestyle Risk Factors among Algerian Adolescents: Comparison between Urban and Rural Areas: GSHS Data

“…The second most prevalent cluster in Algeria was low fruit and vegetable consumption + low physical activity. Similarly, in Brazil [ 8 ], in the global study [ 5 ], and in Nepal [ 7 ], insufficient physical activity + low consumption of fruits and vegetables was the most prevalent cluster among adolescents. In Brazil, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and sedentary behavior was found to be the most prevalent cluster adopted by adolescents (40.1%) [ 18 ].…”

“…Clustering of NCDs behavioral risk factors occurs when the observed prevalence of co-occurrence of one or more risk factors exceeds their expected prevalence (O/E ratio >1) in individuals and populations [ 5 ]. Several studies assessed the prevalence of NCDs risk factors and their clustering among adolescents [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. One study reported that low fruit and vegetable intake (86.9%) along with physical inactivity (58.6%) were the most prevalent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among Bangladeshi adolescents [ 6 ].…”

“…Another study showed that low fruit and vegetable consumption and physical inactivity among adolescents were the most common risk factors for NCDs globally in both genders [ 5 ], while sedentary behavior was more likely to be found in adolescents who were smokers than non-smokers regardless of gender [ 5 ]. Additionally, a study showed that 80.6% of Brazilian adolescents had a low intake of fruits and vegetables which was the most common isolated risk factor, followed by physical inactivity (79.5%), alcohol consumption (23.8%), and tobacco use (5.6%) [ 8 ]. Highest proportion was for adolescents who had a cluster of two risk factors (56.1%).…”

“…Highest proportion was for adolescents who had a cluster of two risk factors (56.1%). About 66% of Brazilian adolescents had a low consumption of fruits and vegetables and physical inactivity, which was the most prevalent risk factors cluster, and the aggregation of smoking and alcohol consumption (79.0%) had the highest prevalence of observed/expected ratio [ 8 ]. A study in Nepal showed that 82% of the adolescents had at least two risk factors and 11.2% had at least three [ 7 ].…”