Determinants of Obesity and Metabolic Health in the Afghan Population: Protocol, Methodology, and Preliminary Results

Abstract Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause more than 70% of deaths worldwide and share modifiable risk factors including obesity and metabolic abnormalities. Over the past 15 years, many changes in lifestyle, dietary patterns, physical activity, and socioeconomic status have been observed in the Afghan population. This study aims to investigate which specific lifestyle factors, dietary patterns, and characteristics of Westernization are associated with an increased risk of being overweight or obese and with poor metabolic health in the Afghan population. Methods A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted where a total of 729 male and female participants were recruited. Face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements were conducted by trained health staff using standardized questionnaires which included information on socio-demographic and housing characteristics, income, occupation, ethnicity, personal and family medical history, stress, anthropometry, diet, and physical activity. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) was used to estimate body composition, including overall body fatness. Physical activity was measured using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). For a comprehensive assessment of dietary intake, a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) specific to the Afghan population was developed which included all local food items relevant to the population. Lipid profile and fasting glucose were measured in a local laboratory. Biospecimens were collected using dried blood spots (DBS) and dried stool cards to perform microbiome and biomarker-based research. Discussion This is the first study which will assess dietary patterns, lifestyle factors, and their association with obesity and metabolic health in Afghanistan. Such a study will aid the development of dietary and lifestyle guidelines in Afghanistan which will promote better health and educate people to make healthy food choices. The findings will also help in designing and implementing effective public health strategies to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent the epidemic of overweight and obesity, and, hence, reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in the region.

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Determinants of Obesity and Metabolic Health in the Afghan Population: Protocol, Methodology and Preliminary Results

10.21203/rs.2.23970/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mohammad Sediq Sahrai ◽

Inge Huybrechts ◽

Carine Biessy ◽

Sabina Rinaldi ◽

Pietro Ferrari ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Dietary Patterns ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Lifestyle Factors ◽

Metabolic Health ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Health Staff ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Family Medical History

Abstract Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) cause more than 70% of deaths worldwide and share modifiable risk factors including obesity and metabolic abnormalities. Over the past 15 years many changes in lifestyle, dietary patterns, physical activity and socioeconomic status have been observed in the Afghan population. This study aims to investigate which specific lifestyle factors, dietary patterns and characteristics of Westernization are associated with an increased risk of being overweight or obese and with poor metabolic health in the Afghan population.Methods: A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted where a total of 729 male and female participants were recruited. Face to face interviews and anthropometric measurements were conducted by trained health staff using standardized questionnaires which included information on socio-demographic and housing characteristics, income, occupation, ethnicity, personal and family medical history, stress, anthropometry, diet and physical activity. Bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) was used to estimate body composition, including overall body fatness. Physical activity was measured by using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). For a comprehensive assessment of dietary intake, a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) specific to the Afghan population was developed which included all local food items relevant to the population. Lipid profile and fasting glucose were measured in a local laboratory. Biospecimens were collected using dried blood spots (DBS) and faecal occult blood test (FOBT) cards to perform microbiome and biomarker-based research.Discussion: This is the first study which will assess dietary patterns, lifestyle factors and their association with obesity and metabolic health in Afghanistan. Such a study will aid the development of dietary and lifestyle guidelines in Afghanistan which will promote better health and educate people to make healthy food choices. The findings will also help in designing and implementing effective public health strategies to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent the epidemic of overweight and obesity, and hence, reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in the region.

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Relationship between childhood obesity and dietary behavior in selected school-going children from Dhaka city, Bangladesh

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20202967 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. 2469

Author(s):

Mohammad Rahanur Alam ◽

Mohammad Asadul Habib ◽

A. K. Obidul Huq ◽

Sumaiya Mamun ◽

Sompa Reza ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Fast Food ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Dietary Behavior ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Dhaka City ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Increased Risk

Background: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases is rising in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Obesity is one of the significant risk factors for many non-communicable diseases. This research aimed to investigate the current prevalence of overweight and obesity among children in selected schools in Dhaka City through anthropometric evaluation, as well as to assess the correlation of various environmental determinants such as physical activity, dietary behavior, lifestyle habits, are associated with increased risk of obesity in children.Methods: This school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 106 participants (50 male and 56 female participants) aged 6-14 years selected by convenience sampling from four randomly selected primary schools of different regions of Dhaka city. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data.Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among school-going children 24.5%, 68% respectively. Factors associated with being obese included type of game (χ2=34.036; p=0.001), total playtime (χ2=17.788; p=0.000), TV and computer watch time (χ2=27.321; p=0.007), spend money to buy fast food (χ2=26.451; p=0.002), eating days fast food in a week (χ2=24.825; p=0.003), type of tiffin (χ2=19.757; p=0.072).Conclusions: Less playtime, longer watching TV and computer, and eating more fast food are major risk factors for overweight and obesity among school-going children in Dhaka city. Interventions are needed to increase awareness of child overweight weight and obesity risk factors to decrease the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

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Dietary patterns of women aged 50–69 years and associations with nutrient intake, sociodemographic factors and key risk factors for non-communicable diseases

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980015003547 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 19 (11) ◽

pp. 2024-2032 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Marianne S Markussen ◽

Marit B Veierød ◽

Anne Lene Kristiansen ◽

Giske Ursin ◽

Lene F Andersen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Higher Education ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Dietary Patterns ◽

Nutrient Intake ◽

Alcohol Intake ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

High Adherence

AbstractObjectiveIn women, the risk for non-communicable diseases increases after menopause. We aimed to identify major dietary patterns and study their associations with nutrient intake, sociodemographic factors and risk factors for non-communicable diseases among women aged 50–69 years.DesignA cross-sectional study. Food intake was recorded by a 253-item FFQ. Dietary patterns were identified using principal component analysis. The associations between the dietary patterns and nutrients were described by Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis was used to examine the associations between the dietary patterns and age, education, BMI, physical activity and smoking.SettingThe Norwegian Breast Cancer Screening Programme.SubjectsWomen (n 6298) aged 50–69 years.ResultsThree dietary patterns were identified: ‘Prudent’, ‘Western’ and ‘Continental’. Adherence to the ‘Prudent’ pattern was related to older age, higher education, higher BMI, more physical activity (Ptrend<0·001) and being a non-smoker (P<0·001). Adherence to the ‘Western’ pattern was related to older age, lower education, higher BMI, less physical activity (0·001≤Ptrend≤0·006) and lower alcohol intake (r =−0·28). Adherence to the ‘Continental’ pattern was related to younger age, higher education, higher BMI, less physical activity, (Ptrend<0·001), being a smoker (P<0·001) and higher alcohol intake (r=0·36).ConclusionsThree distinct dietary patterns were identified. High adherence to a ‘Prudent’ pattern was associated with a healthy lifestyle, while high adherence to a ‘Western’ or ‘Continental’ pattern was associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. These findings are valuable knowledge for health authorities when forming strategies to promote a healthier lifestyle among women.

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Lifestyles and non-communicable diseases status among primary health care staff in Kuantan, Pahang

IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia ◽

10.31436/imjm.v15i1.1274 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mohd Aznan Md Aris ◽

Tin Myo Han ◽

Nor Azwani Mohd Shukri ◽

Fa'iza Abdullah

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Primary Health Care ◽

Registered Nurses ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Care Staff ◽

Health Staff ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Primary Health ◽

Balance Diet

Introduction: Unhealthy lifestyle is one of the risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in our population even among the healthcare provider. They should be as the role model for their NCDs patients in the clinics. Therefore, this study was to determine the lifestyle practice and lifestyle-related NCDs (LR-NCDs) status among primary health care staffs. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was done among 69 health-staff (20- physicians (PCPs), 16-nurses and 33-Para-Med) aged between 20-60 years from 3 selected governments primary health care clinics in Kuantan on April 2015. A pre-tested questionnaire is used to the collect history of LR-NCDs, smoking, exercise status and 24-hours- dietary recall. The BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the participants were also measured. The Nutritionist-Pro-(g) software was used to extract macronutrients (Carbohydrate, Protein and Total-Fat %) and balance-diet (within recommended %). Results: The most common LR-NCDs among health-staff were overweight (34.8%) and followed by obesity (24.6%), DM (8.7%) and hypertension (3.2%). The majority (95.7%) were non-smokers and 69.6% did not exercise regularly. Diet-recall analysis showed that only 8.9% (2-PCPs, 1-nurse & 3-ParaMed) had balanced-diet. The status of the DM, hypertension and smoking and practicing balance-diet were not significantly different (p>0.05) among the PCPs, registered-nurses and Para-Med except for the exercise. Most PCPs (90%) have inadequate exercise compared to registered-nurses (43.8%) and Para-Med (69.7%) (p<0.05). Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, inadequate exercise and having an unbalance-diet were noticed among all levels of health-staff.

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Cardiometabolic risk in students of the nutrition and dietetics career

Universidad Ciencia y Tecnología ◽

10.47460/uct.v25i111.528 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (111) ◽

pp. 174-182

Author(s):

Walter Adalberto Gonzalez Garcia ◽

Andrea Michelle Prado Matamoros ◽

Karla Gisella Velasquez Paccha ◽

Fanny Concepcion Suarez Camacho

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Cardiometabolic Risk ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Female Students ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Cardiometabolic Risks ◽

Factores De Riesgo ◽

Nutrition And Dietetics

The cardiometabolic risk describes the probabilities of a person to suffer a heart or blood vessels damages. Hence the relevance of determining this type of risk in the students of the Nutrition and Dietetics career of the Technical University of Babahoyo. For this purpose, indicators such as waist circumference, waist/height formula, sex, body mass index, waist-height index ICE, physical activity and inductive-deductive method were measured in a population of 100 students. It was found that the predominant nutritional status in female students is overweight and obesity. This indicates that 29% of female students have an increased cardiovascular risk. With regard to cardiometabolic risk, it was determined that female students had a rate of 36%, compared with male students with 11%. Keywords: cardiometabolic risk factors, overweight, obesity. References [1]Organización Mundial de la Salud, «www.who.int. Non communicable diseases,» 2018. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/non-communicable-diseases. [Last access: August 25, 2021]. [2]J. Maldonado, C. Carranza, M. Ortiz, C. Gómez and N.Cortés, «Prevalencia de factores de riesgo caardiometabólico en estudiantes de la Universidad de la región centroocidental en la Universidad Michoacana San Nicolás de Hidalgo. México,» SCIELO, vol. 24, nº 2, pp. 78-86, 2013. [3]M. Morales, «Influence of phisical activity and nutritional habits on the risk of metabolic syndrome,» SCIELO, vol. 6, 2016. [4]G. Morales, T. Castillo, S. Muñoz, C. Belma, A. Soto, I. Schifferli and F. Guillén, «Asociación entre factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos, actividad física y sedentarismo, » Nutrición Hospitalaria, vol. 34, nº 6, pp. 1345-1352, 2017. [5]Organización Mundial de la Salud, «Obesidad y sobrepeso,» 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight. [Last access: August 29, 2021]. [6]G. Bray, G. Fruhbeck, D. Ryan and J. Wilding, «Management of obesity,» Lancet, vol. 387, nº 7, pp. 1847-1956, 2016. [7]A. Caicedo Paliz, A. León Fierro and K. Zambrano Llaguno, Protocolo de diagnóstico y manejo multidisciplinario de pacientes con sobrepeso y obesidad en la consulta ambulatoria, Quito: Universidad San Francisco de Quito, 2021. [8]INEC, «Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (ENSANUT),» INEC, Quito, 2018. [9]N. Britto Núñez and R. Alcázar Carett, «Obesidad y riesgo cardiometabólico. Revisión.,» CIMEL, vol. 16, nº 2, pp. 106-113, 2011. [10]J. Vandervelde, H. Savelberg, N. Schaper and A. Koster, «Moderate activity and fitness not sedentary time are independently associated with cardiometabolic risks in US adults aged 18-49,» Environ Resident Public Health, vol. 12, pp. 2330-2343, 2015. [11]V. Carson and I. Janssen, «Volume, patterns and types of sedentary behavior and cardiometabolic health children and adolescents: a cross sectional study,» BMC Public Health, vol. 186, pp. 186-195, 2011. [12] T. Rendo Urteaga, A. De Moraes, T. Callesse y T. Marrios, «The combined effect of physical activity and sedentary behaviors on a clustered cardiometabolic risks score. The Helena Study,» Internal Cardiology, vol. 186, pp. 186-195, 2015. [13]R. Monroy Torres, C. Aguiklera Juarez and J. Nares, «Riesgo cardiometabólico en adolescentes con y sin obesidad: variables metabólicas, nutricionales y consumo de refresco,» revista Mexicana de trastornos Alimentarios, vol. 9, nº 1, pp. 24-33, 2018. [14]OMS, «estrategia Mundial sobre el régimen alimentario, actividad física y salud,» 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/diethysicactivity/pa/es.[Last access: August 30, 2021]. [15]A. Alvarado Sánchez, A. González Yebra and M. Macías, «Correlaciones de factores de riesgo cardiometabólicio e hipoactividad con indice corporal y circunferencia de cintura en trabajadores del sector cuero y calzado de la ciudad de León,» Jóvenes en la ciencia, vol. 3, nº 2, pp. 1-5, 2017. [16]SEEDO, «Consenso SEEDO para la evaluación del sobrepeso y la obesidad. Revista Española de Obesidad, » 2007. [Online]. Available: https://www.seedo.es/images/site/documentacionConsenso/Consenso_SEEDO_2007 pdf. [Last access: August 21, 2021].

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Dietary practices, physical activity and social determinants of non-communicable diseases in Nepal: a systemic analysis

10.1101/2021.06.22.21259340 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sudesh R Sharma ◽

Anna Matheson ◽

Danielle Lambrick ◽

James Faulkner ◽

David W Lounsbury ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Health System ◽

Social Determinants ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Junk Food ◽

Dietary Practices ◽

Dynamic Interactions ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Increased Risk ◽

The Social

Background: The objective of this paper was to describe the role of dietary practices and physical activity in the interaction of the social determinants of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Nepal. Method: The study was a qualitative study design guided by systemic intervention methodology. Qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews (n=63) and focus group discussions (n= 12), and case study-based thematic analysis was carried out. Causal loop diagram was utilised to illustrate the dynamic interactions of the social determinants based on the themes. The study also involved sense-making sessions with policy level and local stakeholders. Findings: Four key interacting themes emerged from the study. Dietary and physical activity practices have shifted significantly at community level contributing to increased risk of NCDs. The practice of healthy and locally produced meals was gradually being displaced by junk food and linked to junk food availability and declining agricultural activities. Health system was ineffective in preventing unhealthy practices. Gender and social economic factors were driving the poor dietary practices and physical inactivity. Conclusion: While the current dietary and physical activity-related practices within communities were poor, the broader determinants such as socio-economic circumstances and gender further fuelled such practices. The health system has potential to play an effective role in the prevention of the behavioural and social determinants of NCDs.

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Association between Physician-Diagnosed Asthma and Weight Status among Chinese Children: The Roles of Lifestyle Factors

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17051599 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (5) ◽

pp. 1599 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Lijuan Lai ◽

Ting Zhang ◽

Xia Zeng ◽

Weiqing Tan ◽

Li Cai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Mediation Analysis ◽

Screen Time ◽

Weight Status ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Lifestyle Factors ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Chinese Children ◽

Asthmatic Children ◽

Increased Risk

Childhood asthma and obesity have posed a parallel epidemic over the past few decades. However, whether asthma diagnosis is associated with obesity, and what the roles of lifestyle factors play in this relationship, remained unclarified. This study aimed to investigate the association between asthma and weight status in Chinese children and explore the potential mediating and/or modifying roles of lifestyle factors in the association. In this cross-sectional study, 16,837 children aged 6–12 years were recruited from Guangzhou, China. Participants’ information on physician-diagnosed asthma was collected from parents, and data on physical activity, screen time, and sleeping were reported in a validated questionnaire. Height and weight were objectively measured, and weight status was classified by body mass index (BMI). Multiple logistic regression analysis and mediation analysis were used. Results showed that asthmatic children were at significantly higher risk of obesity (odds ratio (OR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03, 2.21) compared with non-asthmatic children. More importantly, this increased risk was even greater in children with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity <60 min/d and children with screen time >2 h/d (both Pinteraction < 0.05). Also, a positive relationship of asthma with overweight was found in children with screen time >2 h/d (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.56, 9.88), while a negative association was observed between asthma and underweight in children aged 9–12 years (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06, 0.92). Mediation analysis indicated that these associations were not mediated by physical activity, screen time, or sleeping. The findings suggested that physician-diagnosed asthma was associated with higher risks of overweight and obesity, and these risks might be exacerbated by insufficient physical activity and prolonged screen time.

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A Study On Determinants Of Obesity In Children Between 5-15 years of Age

VIMS Health Science Journal ◽

10.46858/vimshsj.7105 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 17-22

Author(s):

Dr. Prasad Bijaspur ◽

Dr. Sharad Agarkhedkar ◽

Dr. Geeta Karambelkar

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Dietary Habits ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Calorie Intake ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Healthy Children ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Obesity In Children

Background: Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health issue. The prevalence of obesity is increasing both in developing and in developed countries. The global prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 5 -17 years is 10%, In India it is 22% among children between 5 to 19 years. The key causes of childhood obesity are unhealthy dietary habits and reduced physical activity. The adoption to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary habits increases the risk of overweight/obesity and non communicable diseases such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome like dyslipidemia, cardiovascular risks stroke and hypertension. Objective: To assess the BMI, various factor influencing BMI and to correlate these factors in children between 5 to 15 years age irrespective of sex and ethnicity. Methodology: Study included 648 healthy children after fulfilling inclusion criteria ,there socio-demographic information, diet history, history regarding daily physical activity, sedentary behaviour, time spent for recreational activities was taken and there height, weight was recorded and BMI was calculated . By using standardized IAP GROWTH CHARTS children were categorised as underweight, normal, overweight/ obese. Result: Prevalence of overweight was 14% and obesity was 7.3% in children between 5 to 15 years of age. Conclusion: Adolescent age ,children belonging to upper and upper middle socioeconomic status, family history of non-communicable diseases, Calorie intake more than RDA for age, Protein consumption less than RDA for age, consumption of mix diet (veg + non veg), less consumption of a balanced diet, lack of physical activity were associated with overweight and obesity.

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The Implementation of Childhood Obesity Related Policy Interventions in Malaysia—A Non Communicable Diseases Scorecard Project

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115950 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5950

Author(s):

Wilfred Kok Hoe Mok ◽

Noran Naqiah Hairi ◽

Caryn Mei Hsien Chan ◽

Feisul Idzwan Mustapha ◽

Thamil Arasu Saminathan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Childhood Obesity ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Current Status ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Modified Delphi ◽

Policy Interventions ◽

Non Governmental Organizations ◽

The Government

(1) Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has increased tremendously in the ASEAN region, including Malaysia. In Malaysia, the National Strategic Plan for Non-Communicable Diseases (2015–2025) provides the overall framework for its response to the non-communicable diseases (NCD) epidemic. Preventing childhood obesity is one of the key strategies for early intervention to prevent NCDs. The objective of this research is to examine the current status of policy interventions in addressing childhood obesity in Malaysia. (2) Methods: A panel of 22 stakeholders and experts from Malaysia, representing the government, industry, academia and non-governmental organizations, were sampled using a modified Delphi technique. Data were collected using a modified NCD scorecard under four domains (governance, risk factors, surveillance and research and health systems response). A heat map was used to measure the success of the four realms of the NCD scorecard. For each domain of the NCD scorecard, the final score was grouped in quintiles. (3) Results: A total of 22 participants responded, comprising of eight (36.4%) males and 14 (63.4%) females. All the domains measured in implementing policies related to childhood obesity were of low progress. Nine governance indicators were reported as 22.5% (low progress), four in the risk factors domain, and two in the surveillance. This shows that timely and accurate monitoring, participatory review and evaluation, and effective remedies are necessary for a country’s surveillance system. (4) Conclusion: Although Malaysia has published several key strategic documents relating to childhood obesity and implemented numerous policy interventions, we have identified several gaps that must be addressed to leverage the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in addressing childhood obesity in the country.

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Behavioural risk factors in university students in Bucaramanga, Colombia

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.1183 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

R Martinez-Rueda ◽

M A Camacho ◽

I J Díaz

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Protective Factor ◽

Sedentary Time ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Behavioural Risk Factors

Abstract Background The changes generated in the studentś lifestyle due to the academic demands, may favour the prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases as well as compromise other domains of their life. The purpose of this study was to establish the prevalence of behavioural risk factors in students of the Professional in Physical Activity and Sports program of a University in Bucaramanga, Colombia. Methods A cross-sectional study with a sample of 189 students was conducted. The students were surveyed with the first step of the STEPs questionnaire, which evaluates the behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases. A descriptive data analysis was performed, and Pearson tests were applied to determine the correlation between the analysed variables with a level of significance α = 0.05 using STATA 13.0. Results 80% of the participants were men. The age average was 22.7 ± 3.85 years. Regarding tobacco use, 10.1% of the participants were current smokers, while 30% smoked before. The majority of the participants (92.2%) have consumed alcohol within the past 12 months, while 69.8% consumed alcohol within the last month, with 8.7% of hazardous drinking. Concerning the diet, only 24.9% met the recommended consumption of fruits and vegetables per day. When assessing physical activity levels, only 6.3% were classified as physically inactive. Additionally, an average of 6 hours of sedentary behaviour was found, with 31.2% of excessive sedentary time. A weak correlation was found between age and academic cycle with the amount of physical activity at work (r = 0.24), (r = 0.18) and with sedentary time (r = -0.28), (-0, 32). Conclusions Although the prevalence of tobacco consumption was slightly higher than the national average, the students showed a lower prevalence of behavioural risk factors than the general population. However, it is necessary to promote strategies aimed at the control and prevention of these risk factors. Key messages Being a student of a program focused on physical activity and sport, can behave as a protective factor against the most prevalent risk factors in university life. It is necessary to implement more strategies centred on making students aware of the importance of the maintenance and improvement of their lifestyles in accordance with their professional profile.

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