Health-impacting behaviour among youth in Kolar district, India: a population-based cross-sectional survey

Objective Youths represent a significant portion of the population in Karnataka, India. However, a closer look at their health paints a worrying picture. To gain a deeper understanding of this issue, researchers conducted a study in the Kolar district to assess the prevalence of health-impacting behaviours among this age group. Design Cross-sectional population-based survey. Setting Kolar district in the state of Karnataka, India. Participants 5072 participants aged 15–30 years from the Kolar district. Primary and secondary outcome measures Various health-impacting behaviours among the participants, including low intake of fruits and vegetables, widespread physical inactivity, tobacco use, risky alcohol consumption and poor practices related to road safety. Results The survey unveiled a concerning pattern of unhealthy behaviours prevalent among Kolar’s youth. A significant proportion of participants reported low fruit and vegetable intake (ranging from 7)9.7% (CI 77.4 to 81.8) to 87.5% (CI 85.7 to 89.2)). Physical inactivity emerged as another major concern, with prevalence rates varying between 6.2% (CI 5.0 to 7.3) and 27.2% (CI 24.8 to 29.7) depending on gender. Additionally, tobacco use was found to be high, with figures ranging from 9.4% (CI 7.9 to 11.1) to 10.7% (CI 9.1 to 12.3) for different tobacco products. Binge drinking, a risky behaviour, was reported by nearly 40% (CI 30.4 to 43.8) of male participants. The study also revealed concerning trends in risky sexual behaviour, with a prevalence of 2.3% (CI 1.0 to 3.0). Conclusions The authors strongly advocate for the implementation of comprehensive interventions that target these priority areas. By addressing these behaviours effectively, we can pave the way for a healthier future for Kolar’s youth.