Clustering of lifestyle risk factors among adult population in India: A cross-sectional analysis from 2005 to 2016

Abstract

Introduction Individual’s early life style and health behaviors are directly linked to chronic non-communicable diseases. Considering the increased burden of NCDs during the last two decades, the aim of this study is to assess co-occurrence/clustering of lifestyle risk factors and its association with different socio-demographic and economic characteristics among adult men and women in India from 2005–2016. Methods This study utilized the data from the National Family Health Survey 2005–06 and 2015–16 survey rounds. Multinomial logistic regression is employed to evaluate co-occurrence of multiple risk factors among adult men and women of different socio-economic and demographic characteristics to identify the subgroups with elevated risk of clustering of multiple unhealthy lifestyle risk factors. Results More adult men in India tend to exhibit clustering of multiple non-communicable disease risk factors than females. Individuals between 30–49 years of age, residing in urban areas, the population with no education, separated couples and those from poor economic strata are the specific population subgroups show higher prevalence of co-occurrence of multiple risk factors. The regional pattern of clustering of risk factors shows that the prevalence of co-occurrence of multiple risk factors is higher among men and women from the North-Eastern part of India compared to the other regions of the country. Conclusion The prevalence of clustering of multiple risk factors associated with chronic NCDs is substantially high and has increased between 2005–06 to 2015–16. India may therefore experience a significant increase in the burden of chronic non-communicable diseases in the coming years. We therefore conclude that appropriate strategies should be implemented by policy makers and the government to reduce the overall health burden of NCDs due to lifestyle habits.

Identifying the latent classes of modifiable risk behaviours among diabetic and hypertensive individuals in Northeastern India: a population-based cross-sectional study

“…Atorkey and Owiredua (2021), in their study that identified the clustering of five multiple health risk behaviours, also found that low vegetable and fruit intake and low physical activity cluster together within an individual, whereas smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption co-occur together forming another cluster 18. The pattern of clustering of modifiable risk behaviours could also differ by region and community level, as evident from previous studies 17 19. The clustering of two or more modifiable risk behaviours is of great concern because it can intensify the risk of developing chronic diseases and cardiovascular mortality,20 21 22 and most intervention measures are specific to a single risk factor.…”

“…16 In a study among the US adults, Leventhal et al (2014) used modifiable risk factors like usage of alcohol, drug, nicotine, current obesity status and weekly physical activity and found that the adult population clusters into five subgroups based on the pattern of these modifiable risk factors. 14 Another study in India by Shaikh and Khan (2021) found that hypertension is more likely to cluster with other modifiable risk behaviours such as smoking, alcohol, chewing tobacco, obesity and unhealthy diets in both men and women. 17 Atorkey and Owiredua (2021), in their study that identified the clustering of five multiple health risk behaviours, also found that low vegetable and fruit intake and low physical activity cluster together within an individual, whereas smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption co-occur together forming another cluster.…”

“…14 Another study in India by Shaikh and Khan (2021) found that hypertension is more likely to cluster with other modifiable risk behaviours such as smoking, alcohol, chewing tobacco, obesity and unhealthy diets in both men and women. 17 Atorkey and Owiredua (2021), in their study that identified the clustering of five multiple health risk behaviours, also found that low vegetable and fruit intake and low physical activity cluster together within an individual, whereas smoking tobacco and alcohol consumption co-occur together forming another cluster. 18 The pattern of clustering of modifiable risk behaviours could also differ by region and community level, as evident from previous studies.…”

“…18 The pattern of clustering of modifiable risk behaviours could also differ by region and community level, as evident from previous studies. 17 19 The clustering of two or more modifiable risk behaviours is of great concern because it can intensify the risk of developing chronic diseases and cardiovascular mortality, 20 21 22 and most intervention measures are specific to a single risk factor. For example, in Asia 43.5% of Chinese adults and 37% of Korean adults had at least two cardiovascular risk factors.…”

“…11 23 Moreover, in India, 35.6% of adult men and 10% adult women have at least three lifestyle risk factors. 17 It is also found that a combination of smoking and heavy drinking emerged as the riskiest behaviour for all causes of death. 24 The majority of studies reported a higher prevalence of smoking, excess alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and poor diet among people with diabetes or hypertension than those without diabetes or hypertension.…”