Patterns of clustering of six health-compromising behaviours in Saudi adolescents

Abstract

BackgroundClustering of multiple health-compromising behaviours is associated with an increased risk of various chronic diseases. There are few studies on patterns of clustering of multiple health-compromising behaviours in adolescents. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess how six health-compromising behaviours, namely, low fruit consumption, high sweet consumption, less frequent tooth brushing, low physical activity, physical fighting and smoking, cluster among Saudi male adolescents.MethodsA representative stratified cluster random sample of 1,335 Saudi Arabian male adolescents living in Riyadh city answered a questionnaire on health-related behaviours. Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis (HACA) was used to identify cluster solutions of the six health-compromising behaviours.ResultsHACA suggested two broad and stable clusters for the six health-compromising behaviours. The first cluster included low fruit consumption, less frequent tooth brushing and low physical activity. The second cluster included high sweets consumption, smoking and physical fighting.ConclusionsThe six health-compromising behaviours clustered into two conceptually distinct clusters among Saudi Arabian male adolescents, one reflecting non-adherence to preventive behaviours and the second undertaking of risk behaviours. Clustering of health behaviours has important implications for health promotion.

Clustering patterns of oral and general health‐risk behaviours in Brazilian adolescents: Findings from a national survey

“…Previous studies employing various techniques of data analysis have also shown a similar pattern of clustering for insufficient physical activity and low fruit intake (as part of an unhealthy diet) in adolescents, thus characterizing a sedentary lifestyle. As for the first cluster, equivalent findings have been reported, especially concerning the co‐occurrence of smoking and drug use, smoking and high sugar intake, and less frequent oral and general hygiene practices …”

“…It is been documented in the literature that unfavourable behaviours tend to co‐occur in adolescents, in the so‐called problem behaviour syndrome . This theory has been expanded to include health behaviours, because many unfavourable behaviours, such as alcohol use, marijuana use, unprotected sex and driving after drinking, can be considered health‐compromising and contrary to social norms …”

“…In addition, the great majority of studies have concentrated on identifying profiles of individuals according to a pattern of behaviour rather than exploring the ways in which health‐risk behaviours cluster in populations . Furthermore, only 1 study has examined the clustering of oral health as well as general health behaviours employing a data‐driven technique such as the hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis (HACA) in adolescents, and it was restricted to male adolescents …”

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“…Political and organizational approaches to policy analysis estimate the policy itself as a decision-making process rather than focusing on health output [32]. Measuring patient behaviours and endorsing ineffective health awareness and misled ideologies in medicine were two common themes within a primarily publicly funded system [33–35]. Even so, effective regulation and government support were the key elements of national health progress [36].…”