Psychological distress is associated with obesogenic behaviour among a nationally representative sample of in-school adolescents in paraguay

Abstract

This investigation aimed to report the prevalence and its correlates of obesogenic behaviour among adolescents in Paraguay. Cross-sectional nationally representative data were analysed from 3,149 adolescents (15 years median age) that participated in the “2017 Paraguay Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS).” Obesogenic behaviour included 83.5% physical inactivity, 34.0% sedentary behaviour, 74.3% inadequate fruit and vegetable intake (<5 servings/day), 60.1% daily soft drink consumption and 15.0% fast food consumption (≥3 days/week). In adjusted linear regression analysis, male sex (Adjusted Exp (Coef.)-AEC: 0.84, 95% Confidence Interval-CI: 0.76-0.93) and high parental support (AEC: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72-0.93) were negatively and psychological distress (AEC: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.02-1.34) was positively associated with obesogenic behaviour. In addition, in univariate analysis, school attendance was negatively associated with obesogenic behaviour. High obesogenic behaviour was observed and several associated variables were identified which can aid in designing intervention strategies.