Abstract :
Background: Most non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are strongly associated and causally
linked with four modifiable lifestyle risk factors, viz., tobacco use, physical inactivity,
unhealthy diet and harmful use of alcohol. Over half of NCD deaths are associated with
behaviors that are established during adolescence and these behaviors persist throughout
life. So this study was taken up to determine the proportion of adolescent school students
having modifiable lifestyle risk factors for NCDs and to assess the factors associated with risky
health behavior.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted among 772 adolescent students from 12
schools in Imphal West, selected by stratified two-stage cluster sampling, from November
2012 to September 2014. Information regarding socio-demographic characteristics and
behavioralrisk factors were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Chi-square test
and binary logistic regression were used for analysis.
Keyword :
Adolescents, NCDs, Risk factors, Smoking, Obesity.