Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess trends of various health risk behaviours among adolescents across three different surveys in Argentina.MethodsData from 115,697 adolescents (mean age:14.6 years, SD=1.2) that participated in three cross-sectional national school surveys in 2007, 2012 and 2018 were analysed. In all, 27 health risk behaviours were assessed through a self-administered questionnaire. Significance of a linear trend was tested by treating study year as categorical variable in logistic regression analyses, adjusted by age group and food insecurity for boys and girls separatelyResultsAmong both sexes, four health risk behaviours (current cigarette use, passive smoking, trouble from alcohol use, and physically attacked) significantly reduced from 2007 to 2018. Among boys five health risk behaviours (experience of hunger, parental tobacco use, current alcohol use, involvement in physical fighting, and multiple sexual partners), and among girls, inadequate physical activity significantly reduced over time. Among both sexes, the prevalence of four health risk behaviours (overweight/obesity, obesity, leisure-time sedentary behaviour and insufficient fruit intake) significantly increased among both sexes, and among girls ten health risk behaviours (not walking/biking to school, current other tobacco use, bullying victimisation, lifetime drunkenness, having no close friends, suicide plan, suicidal ideation, worry-induced sleep disturbance, loneliness, and ever sexual intercourse) significantly increased over time.ConclusionNine health risk behaviours among boys and five health risk behaviours among girls decreased, and four health risk behaviours among boys and 14 health compromising behaviours among girls increased over a period of 11 years. School health programmes for adolescents should be strengthened in Argentina.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to assess trends of various health risk behaviours among adolescents across three different surveys in Argentina
Among adults in Argentina there has an increase of poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, but a decrease in tobacco use [4]
Results show for the first time that across three Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) in 2007, 2012 and 2018 in Argentina, among both sexes a significant decrease in the prevalence of current cigarette use, passive smoking, trouble from alcohol use, and physically attacked, and among boys, experience of hunger, parental tobacco use, current alcohol use, involvement in physical fighting, and multiple sexual partners, and among girls, inadequate physical inactivity
Summary
In Southern Cone States, the prevalence of Peltzer and Pengpid BMC Pediatr (2021) 21:464 behavioural NCD risk factors in 2016 was 23.5% for adult obesity and 10.2% for adolescent obesity (Argentina 28.3% adult and 14.4% in adolescent obesity), 17.2% and 10.8% for current tobacco smoking among adults and adolescents, respectively (Argentina 21.9% and 20.2% for current tobacco smoking among adults and adolescents, respectively), and 44.3% for adult physical inactivity (Argentina 41.6%) [1]. In a survey among adults in primary care in Central Argentina, the prevalence of inadequate fruit and vegetable intake was 91.8%, physical inactivity 71.5%, dyslipidaemia 43.5%, obesity 35.2%, hazardous alcohol use 28%, and smoking 22.5% [3]. Among adults in Argentina there has an increase of poor diet, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia, but a decrease in tobacco use [4]. It is estimated that among young people and adults globally, “alcohol use, dietary behaviours, drug use, mental health, physical activity, sexual behaviours, tobacco use, violence and unintentional injury” are leading causes of morbidity and mortality [5]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
