Doenças crônicas não transmissíveis: o conhecimento de adolescentes sobre fatores de risco modificáveis

Abstract

Chronic noncommunicable diseases are a growing health problem in the world, encouraging the practice of physical activity and preventing the incidence of risk factors since childhood and adolescence is critical to try to lower the rates of prone adults the same. The objective of this study was to identify the knowledge of adolescents about chronic noncommunicable diseases. The sample consisted of 147 adolescents, 83 girls and 64 boys, with a mean age of 14 years, enrolled in the 8th year of the three largest state schools in Alegrete-RS. In the study, a questionnaire was used to evaluate the knowledge about the association between four modifiable risk factors (sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol abuse and inadequate diet) and four chronic diseases (Diabetes Mellitus, Arterial Hypertension, Acute Myocardial Infarction and Obesity) . When asked about sedentary lifestyle and poor diet, most answered affirmatively about the four diseases being associated; As for smoking, the majority said they did not cause diabetes and hypertension; even when asked about the risk factor for abusive alcohol consumption, adolescents stated that it would not be a risk factor for diabetes and obesity. Considering the scientific literature, it is possible to affirm that the adolescents consulted do not have the knowledge of abusive consumption of alcohol and tobacco, drugs that are increasingly present in the social environment of adolescents. Thus, it is necessary the work of health promotion in the school environment in order to resolve doubts as to the risk factors for chronic noncommunicable diseases and the excessive consumption of certain habits.