RISK FACTORS OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AMONG ADOLESCENT IN CHITWAN DISTRICT OF NEPAL

This was a cross sectional study, based on framework of the WHO stepwise approach for surveillance ofrisk factors of non-communicable diseases. This study was conducted in Ratnanagar Municipality of Chitwan Districtof Nepal. Overall 241 respondents participated in the study. Body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and Blood Pressure were measured using standardized methods. It was found that nearly half of male respondents and also 1/5female respondents were using any type of addiction. Very high proportion of males and females were falling underthe category of over weight and obesity according to BMI and WHR criteria for weight classification. There wereslightly more prevalence of pre-hypertension and stage one hypertension among males than female respondents.Overall conclusion is that high proportions of adolescents were found in the high-risk category and thus they areexposed to the risk of NCDs in future. Present study findings highlight the need to carry out periodic health check upprogrammes irrespective of school or non-school going adolescents and IEC activities regarding NCDs.