Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in College Students in the Brazilian Western Amazon Region

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) and associated lifestyle factors in college students in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazilian Western Amazon region. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 874 undergraduate students from a public university. The general prevalence of CNCDs was 15.6%. After adjusting for sex and age, the CNCD-associated lifestyle factors included the following: sedentary during leisure time (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12 - 2.48), sedentary in locomotion by walk- ing (PR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.00 - 1.79), current smoker (PR: 1.66; 95% CI: 1.07 - 2.58), unsatisfactory self-rated health status (PR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.84 - 2.88), overweight (PR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.14 - 2.46) and obese (PR: 3.30; 95% CI: 2.18 - 5.01). The high prevalence of CNCDs identified in this group of college students highlights the need for swift action to promote healthy lifestyles among youth.