Risk factors of life style diseases among adults in Kozhikode, Kerala

Introduction: Life style diseases refer to diseases that are caused mainly due to the unhealthy behavior and choices people make in their life. Economic growth, modernization, urbanization and socialization have changed the life style of Indian families. Most of the life style diseases share common preventable risk factors such as tobacco, high alcohol consumption, anxiety, sedentary life style and obesity. All these risk factors are modifiable and early identification and management of risk factors can help to prevent and control non-communicable diseases. Objectives: To screen the population for risk factors of chronic non-communicable diseases. Materials and Methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted. A house to house survey was conducted. All individuals above 20 years of age; who gave informed consent were included in the study. Detailed information regarding age, sex, educational status, marital status, occupation and occupational activity, religion, dietary habits, personal habits and addiction, family history of diseases and other relevant information etc. was obtained using predesigned questionnaire. Modified B.G. Prasad classification updated for January 2017 was used for socioeconomic classification. Anthropometric measurements such and Blood pressure were measured using standard techniques. Data was entered in MS excel and analyzed using SPSS 16. Results: Most of the people (43) in the study population were less than 40 years of age. Slight Female preponderance was observed in the study. 66% of subjects belonged to socioeconomic status class II. Only 28% of the study population exercised regularly. Percentage of overweight and obese among study population was 31%. Among 46 males from study population 26 had one or other addiction. 20 subjects reported hypertension, 16 were diabetic and 2 were CAD patients.