Clustering of metabolic and behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among the adult population in South and Southeast Asia: findings from WHO STEPS data

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess the current status of metabolic and behavioural risk factors for cardiovascular diseases among the adult population in South and Southeast Asia using World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS data. METHODS: We used WHO STEPS surveys data in ten South and Southeast Asian countries. Weighted mean estimates of prevalence of five metabolic risk factors and four behavioural risk factors were calculated by country and overall region. We used random-effects meta-analysis to generate country and regional pooled estimates of metabolic and behavioural risk factors, using the DerSimonian and Laird inverse-variance method. FINDING: Around 48,434 participants aged 18–69 years were included in this study. Overall 32.00% (95% CI: 31.15–32.36) of individuals in the pooled sample had one metabolic risk factor, 22.10% (95% CI: 21.73–22.47) had two, and 12.38% had three or more (95% CI: 9.09–14.00). Twenty-four percent (95% CI: 20.00–29.00) of individuals in the pooled sample had only one behavioural risk factor, 49.00% (95% CI: 42.00–56.00) had two, and 22.00% had three or more (95% CI: 16.00–29.00). Risk of high three or more metabolic risk factors was higher among women, those of older age, and those with a higher education. INTERPRETATION: The existence of multiple metabolic and behavioural risk factors among the South and Southeast Asian population demand appropriate prevention strategies to halt the progress of non-communicable disease burden within the region. FUNDING: Not applicable.