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.