Individual and Joint Association between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors and Inadequate Lifestyle Behaviors in a Sample from Brazil

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are often influenced by modifiable factors, notably individuals' lifestyle choices, which play a crucial role in modulating cardiovascular risk. Objective: To investigate the individual and simultaneous association between inadequate lifestyle behaviors and risk factors for CVD in adults and older adults. Method: A cross-sectional study with 1079 users of the Health Academy Program in Brazil. Information related to inadequate diet, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical inactivity were individually and collectively investigated (0, 1, or >= 2 factors) in association with CVD risk factors (hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, and obesity), considering the following two outcomes: presence of CVD risk factors and number of CVD risk factors present in the same individual (0, 1, 2, or >= 3 risk factors). Logistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used. The statistical significance adopted was 5%. Results: A higher number of inadequate lifestyle behavior was associated with greater odds of simultaneous presence of 1, 2, or >= 3 CVD risk factors. The simultaneous adoption of 1 and >= 2 inadequate lifestyle behaviors was associated with greater odds of hypercholesterolemia. Simultaneous adherence to >= 2 inadequate lifestyle behaviors was associated with lower odds of hypertension. Conclusion: A greater number of inadequate lifestyle behaviors was associated with higher odds of simultaneous presence of multiple CVD risk factors.