Lifestyle-related determinants of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) across various age groups in Pakistan

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 58% of the total deaths in Pakistan. Modifiable risk factors, including physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and tobacco and alcohol use, are the major contributors to NCDs. Their prevalence and causal factors vary among age groups, and the aim of this review is to assess these differences and their causes. A search in “Google Scholar” AND “PubMed” showed a total of 31,200 articles after using the appropriate keywords. After adjusting for time period and relevance, 66 articles were selected based on the inclusion criteria such as being in the English language, published within the last 10 years, and containing information on lifestyle risk factors of NCDs in adolescent, adult, and elderly age groups. The prevalence of physical activity in adolescents, adults, and the elderly is 20, 34.8, and 15.7%, respectively. Unhealthy diets have been observed in 20.9% of adolescents and 96.5% of adult NCD patients, while 78% of the elderly reported good eating habits. Smoking is prevalent in 15% of college students, 40% of adult males, and 22% of the geriatric male population. Interventions targeted toward the prevention and management of NCDs should consider the role age plays in the development of these diseases and how the prevalence of these risk factors differs among them. Specific considerations need to be put into place when dealing with adolescents and the elderly to reduce the national and global burden of disease.