Adolescents´ knowledge of the risks of chronic diseases development

Kronične nezarazne bolesti karakterizirane su dugotrajnim tijekom i komplikacijama koje izravno utječu na kvalitetu života oboljelih. U kontroli tih bolesti važnu ulogu imaju aktivnosti prevencije jer se nastanak kroničnih nezaraznih bolesti može spriječiti zdravim životnim navikama koje uključuju raznovrsnu prehranu, bavljenje tjelesnim aktivnostima, izbjegavanjem konzumacije alkohola i gaziranih pića te upotrebe sredstava ovisnosti. Najčešće kronične nezarazne bolesti povezane sa stilom života su kardiovaskularne bolesti i dijabetes čiji je nastanak značajno povezan s pretilošću i izloženosti stresu. Za djelotvorno planiranje intervencija potrebno je poznavati faktore rizika te njihovo osvješćivanje u percepciji javnosti. Osim opće prevencije, moguće je provoditi i selektivne intervencije koje su usmjerene prema određenim skupinama u povećanom riziku kao što su djeca i adolescenti. Preventivno djelovanje u najranijoj dobi važno je radi sprečavanja posljedica koje se mogu javiti u kasnijim životnim razdobljima, a podjednako zbog suvremenog načina života pogađaju mlade i odrasle iz gradskih i seoskih sredina. Svrha ovoga rada je analiza ponašanja mladih u odnosu na konzumiranje alkohola i gaziranih pića, korištenje cigareta i navike njihove prehrane. U odnosu na karakteristike ispitanika analizirane su navedene navike u odnosu na mjesto stanovanja, spol i dob. Rezultati ovog ispitivanja provedenog na uzorku od 104 ispitanika u dobi 14 do 19 godina pokazuju da svaki drugi voće i povrće jede više puta tjedno ili svaki dan, brzu hranu i ribu uglavnom jedu rijetko. Svakodnevno puši četvrtina ispitanika. Svakodnevnu tjelesnu aktivnost prakticira trećina ispitanika, a isto toliko njih većinu vremena doživljava stres. Većina ispitanika prepoznaje čimbenike rizika i bolesti povezane s neuravnoteženom prehranom i konzumacijom sredstava ovisnosti.Chronic non-communicable diseases are characterized by a long course and complications that directly affect the quality of life of patients. Prevention activities play an important role in the control of these diseases because the development of chronic non-communicable diseases can be prevented by healthy living habits that include a varied diet, physical activity, avoiding alcohol and carbonated beverages consumption and avoiding the use of addictive substances. The most common chronic non-communicable diseases associated with lifestyle are cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, the occurrence of which is significantly associated with obesity and stress exposure. To affectively plan the interventions, it is necessary to know the risk factors and to raise the public awareness about them. In addition to general prevention, it is possible to carry out more selective interventions, targeted at certain groups at increased risk, such as children and adolescents. Preventive action at the earliest age is important in order to prevent the consequences that may occur in later life, which may equally affect young people and adults both from urban and rural areas, due to the modern way of life. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the behaviour of young people in relation to their consumption of alcohol and carbonated beverages, the use of cigarettes and eating habits. In relation to the characteristics of the respondents, the mentioned habits were analysed in relation to the place of residence, gender and age. The results of this study, conducted on a sample of 104 respondents aged 14 to 19 years, show that every other person eats fruits and vegetables several times a week or every day, while fast food and fish are eaten rarely. A quarter of respondents smoke every day. One third of the respondents practice daily physical activity, and the same number of them experience stress most of the time. Most respondents recognize risk factors and diseases associated with an unbalanced diet and addictive substances consumption