Psychological distress and ideal cardiovascular health behaviour in a nationally representative school sample of adolescents in mauritius

Abstract

This study aimed to determine psychological distress and ideal cardiovascular health behaviour (CVHB) (non-smoking, body mass index <25 kg/m2, healthy diet, and physical activity) among adolescents in Mauritius. Nationally representative cross-sectional data of the 2017 Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS) with complete CVHB measurements were analysed from 2,784 school adolescents from Mauritius. Results show that the prevalence of poor (0-1 ideal metrics) CVHB was 16.6%, intermediate (2 ideal metrics) 39.6%, and ideal CVHB (3-4 ideal metrics) 43.8%. Only 7.7% had ideal CVHB (all 4 metrics), 44.1% intermediate CVH (≥1 metric in the intermediate category and none in the poor category), and 47.3% had poor CVH (≥1 metric in poor category). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, school attendance (Adjusted Odds Ratio-AOR: 1.67, 95% Confidence Interval-CI: 1.32-2.11), and high parental support (AOR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.41-2.13) were positively and experiencing rarely or sometimes hunger (AOR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60-0.97) was negatively associated with meeting 3-4 ideal CVHB metrics. In addition, in the unadjusted analysis, psychological distress was negatively and peer support was positively associated with meeting 3-4 ideal CVHB metrics. Conclusion: The proportion of meeting 3-4 ideal CVHB metrics was low among adolescents in Mauritius. Several factors associated with ideal CVHB were identified, which can be targeted in school health interventions.