Longitudinal Patterns of Adolescents' Health-Related Behaviors in Canada

This study identified profiles of health-related behaviors in adolescents (age 12-17 years), described transitions in profiles over time, and identified sociodemographic factors associated with profiles and transitions in profiles.

Data for 775 adolescents (50.6% female) were drawn from the ongoing NDIT (Nicotine Dependence In Teens) study. Self-report data on physical activity, team sport participation, sedentary behavior, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption collected in grades 7 (ages 12-13 years), 9 (ages 14-15 years), and 11 (ages 16-17 years) were clustered into profiles using latent transition analysis. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify sociodemographic factors associated with profiles and transitions in profiles over time.

Five profiles (labeled herein according to the predominant behavior) were identified in grade 7: 1) "cigarette smoking" (n = 33, 4.3%); 2) "physically active" (n = 480, 61.9% of 775 participants); 3) "relatively inactive and sedentary" (n = 125, 16.1%); 4) "alcohol consumption" (n = 25, 3.2%); and 5) "inactive but not sedentary" (n = 112, 14.5%). From grades 7 to 11, the proportion of participants decreased in the "physically active" profile from 61.9% to 23.1%, and increased from 4.3% to 14.7% in the cigarette smoking profile, and from 3.2% to 23.2% in the alcohol consumption profile. Sex, age, parental education, and school location were associated with profiles and transitions in profiles.

Adolescents' health behavior profiles changed significantly from 12 to 17, with a shift from physical activity to smoking and alcohol use. Sociodemographic factors influenced both profiles and their transitions, highlighting the need for early, targeted interventions to support sustained healthy behaviors during adolescence.