OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and clustering patterns of risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases, according to the socioeconomic level and age of adolescents. METHODS: School-based cross-sectional study with 1,675 adolescents (females - 53%) aged 11 to 17 years-old, randomly selected from private and public schools. Behavioral variables were defined as tobacco and alcohol consumption, high consumption of fat in the diet, and low physical activity level. Biological risk factors were defined as high waist circumference and blood pressure, and low cardiorespiratory fitness. Multinomial logistic regression was applied to identify variables associated with clustering of risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases. RESULTS: 62 and 31% of adolescents presented low cardiorespiratory fitness and high fat intake, respectively. Two out of ten adolescents had two or more unhealthy behaviors, and one-third had at least two risk factors for noncommunicable diseases. A total of 62% of adolescents had at least two risk factors for noncommunicable diseases, with more frequent clustering among older teenagers. Analysis with both behavioral and biological variables showed that the older age was associated with the presence of two or more risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (males: OR 2.10; females: OR 5.74). CONCLUSIONS: Six out of ten adolescents had at least two noncommunicable diseases risk factors. There was an association of clustered factors with age, regardless of gender. Thus, interventions aiming at reducing clustering of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases at older ages must begin early in life.
risk factors; risk-taking; adolescent; chronic disease
