Behavioral risk factors of non-communicable diseases among a nationally representative sample of school-going adolescents in Indonesia

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlates of behavioral non-communicable diseases (NCD) risk factors among adolescents in Indonesia. Methods: Cross-sectional national data were analyzed from 11,124 in-school adolescents (mean age 14.0 years) of the Indonesia Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) in 2015. Seven behavioral NCD risk factors (substance use, dietary behavior, overweight or obesity, low physical activity, and sedentary behavior) were assessed by questionnaire in a classroom setting. Results: The prevalence of low physical activity was 87.8%, insufficient fruit and vegetable intake 76.8%, having soft drinks daily 27.9%, leisure-time sedentary behavior 27.3%, overweight or obesity 15.8%, current tobacco use 12.8%, and alcohol use 4.4%. From the seven behavioral NCD risk factors, the mean was 2.5 (SD=1.0), and almost half (46.5%) had at least three risk factors. In adjusted linear regression analysis, being a boy, increasing age and psychological distress increased the odds and hunger or food insecurity and parental support decreased the odds for having behavioral risk factors. Conclusion: A high co-occurrence of behavioral risk factors was identified. Several risk factors (older age, boys, distress, and poor parental support) were identified that can be targeted in intervention program