Avaliação de fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas não transmissíveis entre estudantes universitários: resultados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS) 2013 e 2019

Abstract

The increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is related to modifiable risk factors, with the main ones being unhealthy eating, insufficient physical activity, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Among university students, the occurrence of these risk factors may emerge or intensify during the academic period due to lifestyle changes associated with this phase of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate risk and protective factors for NCDs among university students in the years 2013 and 2019. Data from adult individuals (≥18 years) from both editions of the National Health Survey (NHS), conducted in 2013 and 2019 in Brazil, who reported being enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program (master's or doctorate) at the time of data collection were used. Risk factors considered were markers of unhealthy eating, sedentary behavior, insufficient physical activity, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use; and protective factors were markers of healthy eating and physical activity during leisure time. A descriptive analysis of all indicators was performed, stratified by gender, type of course, and professional occupation. Significant differences were verified by comparing 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Among the risk factors analyzed, there was a reduction in the prevalence of insufficient physical activity (37.6% to 22.7% - men; 57.7% to 37.3% - women), regular soda consumption (27.9% to 12.5% - men; 22.8% to 10.7% - women), and sweets consumption (27.1% to 17.6% - men; 33.2% to 20.4% - women) among undergraduate students. The percentages of regular and abusive alcohol consumption and smoking remained stable between the years. Among the protective factors analyzed, there was an increase in regular consumption of fruits and vegetables among undergraduate students of both sexes (16.1% to 27.2% - men; 22.6% to 34% - women), among female graduate students (23.3% to 55.3%), and among students who did or did not have a professional occupation at the same time as their studies (20.7% to 31.7% - with occupation; 17.3% to 31.6% - without occupation). In summary, there was a reduction in most of the indicators considered as risk factors for the occurrence of NCDs, along with stable percentages of alcohol consumption and smoking. However, the percentage of regular fruit and vegetable consumption and recommended physical activity practice still corresponds to less than half of the students, and despite being stable, the percentage of alcohol consumption is high in this population. These results suggest the need to strengthen existing regulatory measures, as well as the development of intersectoral policies that involve the creation of appropriate health promotion spaces within universities, in order to contribute to better living and health conditions for students.