Clustering of (Un)Healthy behaviors in adolescents from Dunedin, New Zealand

Abstract

Objectives: Healthy lifestyle habits set the stage for healthy behaviors in adulthood. We examined clustering of health behaviors (physical activity [PA], screen time, fruit and vegetable [F&V] intake) and weight status in New Zealand adolescents. Methods: Adolescents from Dunedin, New Zealand (N = 1300; 49.0% male; 15.3±1.4 years) completed a questionnaire about PA, screen time (TV/ computer/video games), and F&V intake. Height and weight were measured. A 2-step cluster analysis was completed. Results: Few adolescents met individual guidelines (17.9% PA, 14.2% screen time, 29.8% F&V intake) and only 2.5% met all 3 guidelines. Weight status was 3.2%/69.6%/20.5%/6.8% for underweight/ healthy weight/overweight/ obese. Six clusters were identified: (1) non-Adherent (not meeting any guideline) adolescents with healthy weight (38.8%); (2) non-Adherent with unhealthy weight (15.4%); (3) semi-Adherent (meeting some guidelines) with unhealthy weight (11.8%); (4) physically active with healthy weight (13.4%); (5) low screen time with healthy weight (7.1%); and (6) healthy F&V intake with healthy weight (13.5%). Conclusions: Few adolescents met recommended health behavior guidelines; yet, two-Thirds had a healthy weight. The identified clusters had distinct sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. Future interventions should be comprehensive and consider socioeconomic structural factors.