Age-stratified prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia in Nepal: Insights from the STEPS survey 2019.

Men had significantly higher odds of hypertension compared to women in Nepal.

• Men had an odds ratio of 2.04 (95% CI 1.62-2.55) for hypertension
• Analysis was based on 3,219 participants aged 15-69 years from the 2019 STEPS Survey
• Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations between risk factors and NCDs
• The mean participant age was 35.3 ± 12.8 years, with 56% female

Adults aged 60 years or older had the highest odds of hypertension among all age groups.

• Those aged 60 years or older had an odds ratio of 4.92 (95% CI 3.35-7.22) for hypertension
• Among adults aged ≥60 years, 50% used tobacco and 31.5% consumed alcohol
• Univariate logistic regression, Wilcoxon scores, and pairwise multiple comparisons were used to examine age-group differences
• The study population spanned ages 15-69 years

Diabetes prevalence was highest in the 45-59 age group.

• The 45-59 age group had an odds ratio of 6.34 (95% CI 3.58-11.23) for diabetes
• Obesity peaked at 9.0% in the 45-59 age group, which may be a contributing metabolic risk factor
• Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess these associations
• The nationally representative sample included participants from the 2019 STEPS Survey

Hypercholesterolemia prevalence was also highest in the 45-59 age group.

• The 45-59 age group had an odds ratio of 2.66 (95% CI 1.77-3.98) for hypercholesterolemia
• This is the same age group with the highest diabetes odds, suggesting clustering of metabolic conditions
• Obesity peaked at 9.0% in this same age group (45-59 years)
• Analysis was performed using multivariable logistic regression on nationally representative STEPS Survey data

Alcohol consumption was notably prevalent among the youngest age group (15-29 years) in addition to older adults.

• 30.7% of individuals aged 15-29 years consumed alcohol
• Among adults aged ≥60 years, 31.5% consumed alcohol
• Alcohol consumption was identified as a risk factor associated with NCDs in the study
• Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to describe participant characteristics

Physical inactivity was identified in 18.9% of the overall study population.

• Physical inactivity prevalence was 18.9% across all 3,219 participants aged 15-69 years
• Physical inactivity was examined as a risk factor for NCDs including hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia
• The study used nationally representative data from the 2019 STEPS Survey
• Physical inactivity was assessed alongside tobacco use, alcohol consumption, obesity, overweight, and stress as risk factors

Overweight and stress rates were highest among adults aged 30-44 years.

• The highest rates of overweight (30.2%) were found among adults aged 30-44 years
• Stress was highest among adults aged 30-44, affecting 80.1% of this age group
• Obesity (9.0%) peaked at the older 45-59 age group
• These findings suggest distinct risk factor profiles across different middle-age subgroups

Tobacco use was highly prevalent among the oldest age group in Nepal.

• 50% of adults aged ≥60 years used tobacco
• Tobacco use was examined as a risk factor for NCDs in the multivariable logistic regression models
• The study population included 3,219 participants aged 15-69 years
• Tobacco use was assessed alongside alcohol, physical inactivity, and obesity as behavioral risk factors

The study identified substantial NCD burden among younger adults in Nepal, not only in older age groups.

• The study analyzed participants as young as 15 years of age
• Alcohol consumption affected 30.7% of individuals aged 15-29 years
• The authors noted 'substantial burdens exist among younger adults' even as NCD prevalence increases with age
• Limited prior evidence existed on age-stratified NCD patterns particularly among younger populations in Nepal