One in three adolescents globally are at the risk of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cancer, with low fruit and vegetable intake, and physical inactivity as the most prominent risk factors, according to a study.
The researchers from the University of Queensland in Australia examined World Health Organization (WHO) data from 304,779 students aged 11-17 years from 89 countries. They found that 35 per cent of adolescents had three or more lifestyle risk factors.
According to Asad Khan, Associate Professor at the University of Queensland, multiple risk factors increase the likelihood of poor health.
"NCDs, such as cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, type 2 diabetes and cancers, are the leading causes of poor health and premature death, accounting for seven out of 10 deaths globally each year," Khan said.
"Low fruit and vegetable intake, and physical inactivity were the most prominent lifestyle risk factors for NCDs among adolescents," he said.
The researchers said overall, boys reported more lifestyle risk factors than girls.