Screening for Modifiable Risk Factors of Noncommunicable Diseases in Urban Young Adults, Indore, 2023-2024

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) lead to huge mortality in the population under 70 years of age at a global level. A national program called the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs (NPNCD), targeting mainly individuals over 30 years of age, has been launched in India. Nearly 200 million Indians are young adults (ages 18-30 years). The levels of modifiable risk factors in this young adult population, as well as the prevalence of NCDs, remain undocumented. We conducted this study to identify the extent of modifiable risk factors among individuals aged 18-30 years in Indore.

We conducted a cross-sectional study in Indore between 2023 and 2024. We planned to screen 10,000 young adults, based on a pre-calculated sample size table, by organizing camps in educational institutes. The paper-based tool collected data on sociodemography, behavioral risk factors, family history, dietary recall, and anthropometry. The samples were tested in a National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-accredited lab in Indore. The biochemical tests conducted were fasting blood glucose, total serum cholesterol, serum creatinine, and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT). We performed descriptive epidemiology and analyzed the data for correlation using the chi-square test.

The median (range) age of screened individuals was 20 (18-30) years. The median (IQR) BMI was 20 (18-22.4). Approximately 46% (4607) of individuals had elevated systolic blood pressure. Among females, 44% (2483) had elevated systolic blood pressure, whereas it was 50% (2199) among males. Abnormal blood glucose levels were observed in 4.0% (398), abnormal cholesterol levels in 5.3% (528), abnormal creatinine levels in 4.9% (491), and abnormal SGPT levels in 8.1% (809). The p-value for the correlation between tobacco consumption and elevated blood pressure, serum creatinine, serum cholesterol, and SGPT was <.05.

Approximately 25% of the screened individuals were classified as underweight, while fewer than 25% were overweight. About 50% exhibit hypertension, with a higher prevalence in males. Individuals who have elevated blood pressure, serum creatinine, cholesterol, and SGPT levels exhibit an increased likelihood of tobacco consumption. We need to screen more young adults for modifiable risk factors and develop strategies to help them in mitigating these risks.