Factors Affecting the Behavioral Risk Scores for Noncommunicable Diseases Among the Students of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology College of Nursing and College of Science and Mathematics

Abstract

College students’ lifestyle is a public health concern because they have an impact on their risk of contracting noncommunicable diseases (NCD). The prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle such as poor nutritional intake, smoking addiction, physical inactivity, and alcohol consumption is common among university students. NCDs continue to be a major cause of mortality and disability in the Philippines, however, their effects can be reversed by modification of daily behavior habits including reducing tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. This descriptive correlational study aimed to identify the factors affecting the behavioral risk scores of the respondents using Modified Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire. Age, BMI, and family income have a positive influence to the behavioral risk scores of the respondents. On the contrary, the year level and the ordinal position in the family have a negative influence to the behavioral risk scores of the respondents. Factors such as not available in the market, lack of time, lack of energy, religious beliefs, personal preference, and knowledge of the detrimental effects of smoking are the major factors affecting the eating habits, exercise, alcohol consumption and smoking habits of the respondents respectively. The findings of the study may be used to develop regulations that only permit the sale of healthy foods in school canteens and guidelines that only permit the provision of healthy foods for all academic-related activities. A quarterly health promotion program for the prevention and control of noncommunicable illnesses may also be offered to the various colleges.