Distribution and disparities of healthy lifestyles and noncommunicable diseases risk factors between men and women aged 20–59 years in Bangladesh: Evidence from a nationwide survey

Background

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are public health threats globally and recognized impediments to socioeconomic development. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and clustering of NCDs risk factors among Bangladeshi men and women aged 20–59 years using nationally representative data.

Methods

This study was conducted in 82 rural, nonslum urban, and slum clusters across all eight administrative divisions of Bangladesh using multistage cluster sampling. A total of 4917 men and 4905 women aged 20–59 years were included in the study. Descriptive analyses were performed to report the prevalence and distribution of behavioral and clinical risk factors. Multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the coexistence of three or more NCD risk factors.

Results

The prevalence of tobacco use (any form), insufficient physical activity, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, overweight and obesity, and central obesity were 38.3%, 13.6%, 87.1%, 42.3%, and 36.0%, respectively. Furthermore, 21.9% and 4.9% participants had hypertension and self-reported diabetes, respectively. Regarding the clustering of risk factors, 37.1% men and 50.8% women had at least three NCD risk factors. Only 3.0% men and 1.8% women reported no NCD risk factors. Age, place of residence, education, and wealth status were associated with the presence of at least three risk factors for both sexes.

Conclusion

Since a large proportion of Bangladeshi 20–59 years old population had multiple risk factors, population-based programs with multisectoral approaches are essential to reduce NCDs among Bangladeshi women and men.