Dr C.N..Mohanan Nair Sr.Consltant Oncocolgist. Kochi. Log on to drmohanannair.com

Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory disease and type 2 diabetes, are the leading causes of premature deaths, accounting for seven out of 10 deaths globally each year.
The largest global investigation of the major lifestyle risk factors for NCDs in adolescents has been undertaken in a study led by the University of Queensland (UQ) researchers.
The team examined World Health Organization data from 304,779 students aged 11-17 years from 89 countries and found that 35 per cent of adolescents had three or more lifestyle risk factors. which increase the likelihood of poor h
Low fruit and vegetable intake, and physical inactivity were the most prominent lifestyle risk factors for NCDs among adolescents (86 per cent and 85 per cent, respectively).
Overall, boys reported more lifestyle risk factors than girls.
The study shows adolescents in the American region had the highest rate of risk factors—56 per cent of American teens had three or more risk factors, compared to 45 per cent for the Asian region.
Smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet clustered in males, while physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour and poor diet clustered in females.
Smoking and alcohol were paired together in both sexes across all regions
These findings are of particular concern, as the precursors of NCDs are often manifested during childhood.
Many of these behaviours acquired during adolescence tend to remain in adulthood, and exposure to each additional risk factor increases the future risk of premature deaths.
Early gender-specific prevention strategies targeting the modifiable risk factors ( smoking, alcohol, physical inactivity poor diet), should be prioritized to help mitigate the current and future burden of non-communicable diseases globally.

Dr C.N..Mohanan Nair