Adolescentes rurais: comportamentos de risco para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em um município do interior do estado do Pará

Abstract

Recent studies have demonstrated the epidemiological transition and the increased occurrence of Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (NCD), especially among adolescents in less developed countries, and in those who live in poor areas. Although it is recognized that these diseases are more commonly perceived in adults, their manifestations are the result of the interaction of risk factors acquired at an early age. Therefore, the objective of this research was to identify the risk factors for NCDs in adolescents from the rural area of a town in the northeast of the state of Pará, Brazil, as well as to present the risk factors for NCDs through the following variables: physical activity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, Body Mass Index, waist circumference and blood pressure, identifying the possible associations between these variables with the socio-demographic, socioeconomic conditions and with the behavioral and alimentary markers. An observational, cross-sectional epidemiological study was carried out on a representative sample of students of both sexes, aged between 15 and 19 years, enrolled in the regular high school of six public schools in the rural area of the municipality of Ipixuna-PA. The data were obtained through a questionnaire and clinical evaluation, being analyzed by means of explanatory analysis and univariate and multiple logistic regression, considering a significance level of 5% (p < 0,05) and a 95% confidence interval (CI). The sample consisted mostly of female individuals, with an average age of 17 years, who were insufficiently active, who had already experienced alcohol and tobacco, belonging to the most socially vulnerable strata and who had a poor-fiber diet, but rich in fats and sugar. The sedentary lifestyle was significantly related to the female sex, while the risk of altered blood pressure and tobacco experimentation were significantly related to the male sex. Socioeconomic conditions have been shown to influence mainly blood pressure increase, tobacco experimentation, and waist circumference, while older age has been shown to be a protective factor for abdominal obesity. Likewise, the consumption and experimentation of alcohol and tobacco showed to have their use combined, as well as the presence of abdominal obesity and overweight. Inadequate feeding, in turn, was associated with the greater risk of the adolescent being insufficiently active. This study makes clear the need for more effective public policies aimed at raising awareness of the need for a healthier lifestyle among adolescents in rural areas.