Clustering of risk factors for chronic diseases among adolescents from Southern Brazil

ObjectiveTo investigate the clustering of risk behaviors for chronic non-communicable diseases and their associated factors among adolescents from Southern Brazil.MethodsIn 2008, a survey was conducted with 3990 adolescents aged 14-15 years (mean: 14.3; SD: 0.6) from the 1993 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study. Clustering was determined by comparing observed (O) and expected (E) prevalence of all possible combinations of the four risk factors investigated (smoking, alcohol intake, low fruit intake, and physical inactivity). We carried out Poisson regression to evaluate the effect of individual characteristics on the presence of at least three risk behaviors.ResultsAll risk factors tended to cluster together (O/E prevalence = 3.0), especially smoking and alcohol intake (odds ratio to present on behavior in the presence of other > 5.0). Approximately 15% of adolescents displayed three or more risk behaviors. Females (adjusted OR = 1.55), people 15 years and older (OR = 1.47), with black skin color (OR = 1.23), and of low socioeconomic level (OR = 1.29) were more likely to display three or more risk factors.ConclusionThese findings suggest that lifestyle-related risk factors tend to cluster among adolescents. Identifying subgroups at greater risk of simultaneously engaging in multiple risk behaviors may aid in the planning of preventive strategies.

► We investigated the clustering of risk behaviors for chronic non-communicable diseases and their associated factors among adolescents from Southern Brazil. ► Four risk factors were examined: smoking, alcohol intake, low fruit intake, and physical inactivity. ► All risk factors tended to cluster together, especially smoking and alcohol intake, an effect that was stronger among males. ► Approximately 15% of adolescents displayed three or more risk behaviors. ► Females older than 15 years, with black skin color, and of low socioeconomic level were more likely to display three or more risk factors.