Profile of Selected Lifestyle Disease Risk Factors among Adolescent School Students in an Industrial Area of Vellore District, Tamil Nadu

• Main Authors: Geetha Mani, Sughan Balaji M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University 2019-10-01
• Series: Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University
• Subjects: adolescents; school students; risk factors; lifestyle diseases; non-communicable diseases; overweight; hypertension
• Online Access: http://jkimsu.com/jkimsu-vol8no4/JKIMSU,%20Vol.%208,%20No.%204,%20October-December%202019%20Page%2076-88.pdf

Background: Lifestyle or non-communicable diseases are associated with long-term health consequences and tremendous socioeconomic implications. Early identification of risk factors with lifestyle modification is the most effective measure of prevention and control. Schools offer unique opportunity for comprehensive assessment of risk factors and initiation of healthy behaviours. Aim and Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the risk factor profile for lifestyle diseases among adolescent school students in Ranipet, Vellore district, Tamil Nadu and to identify the sociodemographic factors associated with above risk factors among students. Material and Methods: A school based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among students aged 13 to 17 years, from 3 randomly selected schools (2 Private; 1 Government) in Ranipet, Vellore district, between June and September 2018. A pretested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire and standardized instruments were used to assess risk factors. Results: A total of 932 students participated. Fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity practices were sub-optimal compared to recommended guidelines. Males reported better dietary and physical activity practices compared to females (p<0.05). 20% of adolescents were overweight and 17.4% had elevated Blood Pressure (BP). A higher proportion of private school students had overweight and elevated BP (p<0.05). Conclusion: High prevalence of overweight and elevated BP among adolescents signifies need for intense health promotion measures and reorienting school health services towards prevention of lifestyle diseases. Parents, teachers and students should be sensitised to the impact of behavioural and physical risk factors on long-term morbidity and be equipped with knowledge and training to prevent or modify these risk factors.