Healthy behavior among Brazilian young adults

To estimate the prevalence and factors associated to healthy behavior among young adults.

A total of 14,193 respondents aged 18-29 years who participated in the system Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (VIGITEL--Telephone-Based Surveillance of Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases) carried out in 27 Brazilian capitals in 2006 were studied. Healthy behavior was defined as non-smoking, reported regular physical activity and intake of fruits and vegetables five days or more a week. Data analysis was based on prevalence ratios estimated using Poisson regression.

The prevalence of healthy young adults was 8.0%; 39.6% reported two healthy behaviors, 45.3% one; and 7.0% none. In the multivariate analysis, healthy behavior was more commonly seen among those aged 25-29 years with 9 or more years of schooling and who reported engaging in physical activities near home. Inverse associations were found with non-white skin color, consumption of whole milk and fatty meat or poultry, being on a diet, and poor self-perception of health status.

Young adults who show fewer healthy behaviors perceive their health as poor, which suggests that these behaviors negatively affect their own health perception. Positive associations with higher schooling, white skin color, and living near physical activity facilities indicate social inequalities in access to healthy behaviors.