Age-Specific Behavioral and Clinical Risk Factors for Diabetes, Hypertension, and Hypercholesterolemia

OBJECTIVE To identify common and age-specific risk factors for diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia among adults. DESIGN Secondary analysis of cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the ninth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2022-2023). SETTING South Korea. PARTICIPANTS Adults aged > 19 years with complete data on all study variables. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia; independent variables included obesity, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, dietary behaviors, sleep duration, perceived stress, and sociodemographic factors. ANALYSIS Multivariable logistic regression assessed associations between sociodemographic, behavioral, and dietary factors and each chronic condition, stratified by age groups (19-44, 45-64, 65-74, and ≥ 75 years). RESULTS In the full analytic sample, older age and obesity were consistently associated with higher odds of diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia (all P < 0.001). In age-stratified analyses, obesity showed the strongest association with diabetes among younger adults (P < 0.001). Low fruit and vegetable intake was associated with hypertension among adults aged 65-74 years (P = 0.02), and insufficient physical activity was associated with diabetes in middle-aged and older adults (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Age and behavior-specific differences highlight the need for tailored prevention strategies integrating demographic and lifestyle factors.