How vulnerable are our adolescents to noncommunicable diseases? A school-based study in Kolkata

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for two-third of all deaths in India, and its risk factors are on the rise among adolescents. All lifestyle-related risk factors such as unhealthy diet, tobacco and alcohol consumption, low physical activity (LPA), and high screen time (HST) use are modifiable. With this background, a study was conducted to assess the magnitude and predictors of risk factors of NCDs among adolescents in Kolkata. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 276 adolescents of 8th–10th standard in a government-aided boys' school in Kolkata in September–October 2016. Data were collected on sociodemographic profile and lifestyle-related practices along with anthropometry and blood pressure measurement for each student. Analysis was done with the help of SPSS version 16.0 using descriptive statistics, univariate and multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 276 students, 29% ever used tobacco. More than 80% of participants failed to meet the recommended guideline for fruit and vegetable intake, around 80% consumed soft drinks and junk foods regularly, 26% had LPA, 55% were HST user, 23.6% were overweight or obese, and 18.8% were prehypertensive. Multivariable regression revealed the factors associated with being overweight included unhealthy soft drinks intake habit (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] confidence interval [CI]: 4.39 [1.42–13.57]), LPA (AOR [CI]: 6.84 [3.53–13.25]), and HST (AOR [CI]: 2.89 [1.42–5.87]) and those with prehypertension were age (AOR [CI]: 2.62 [1.68–4.10]), LPA (AOR [CI]: 6.19 [2.68–14.29]), HST (AOR [CI]: 3.91 [1.56–9.86]), and overweight [AOR (CI): 8.62 (3.04–24.46)]. CONCLUSION: The findings may be used in developing policies to generate awareness about the modifiable lifestyle-related risk factors of NCDs among adolescents.