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Background: Adolescence and early adulthood represent a critical period that shapes long-term health outcomes and lays the foundation for a healthy and productive life. Understanding the influence of health risk behaviors on physical activity and dietary habits is essential for targeted public health interventions. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of various dimensions of health risk behaviors on physical activity among college students and to examine the differences in physical activity and dietary patterns based on gender. Methodology: This cross-sectional study investigated students’ attitudes and behaviours related to health risks and physical activity. The analysis encompassed six dimensions of health risk behaviour: smoking, alcohol use, illicit drug use, diet, and risky sexual behaviour. A total of 95 students (30 females and 65 males), aged 20–30 years, were selected through random sampling. Data were collected using the Leah Health Risk Behaviours Inventory. Results: Descriptive statistics revealed gender-based differences in physical activity levels, with males exhibiting higher engagement compared to females. Correlation analysis indicated that diet and smoking behaviours significantly correlated with physical activity. Furthermore, smoking, alcohol use, drug use, and risky sexual behaviour showed significant correlations with dietary patterns. Alcohol consumption was also significantly associated with both drug use and risky sexual behaviours, while risky sexual behaviour was strongly linked with illicit drug use. Conclusion: The study highlights the interrelationships among various health risk behaviours. These findings underscore the importance of inclusive health education programs thataddress multiple dimensions of risk to promote healthier lifestyles among young adults.

Realizing the potential of young people in Latin America and the Caribbean is essential both to their well-being and to the region's long-term welfare. Young people are often seen as the source of problems that plague the area, namely rising levels of crime and violence, unemployment, and drug use. However, there is little understanding of the problems young people face, the reasons that some engage in risky behaviors, and how best to support the most vulnerable. Youth at Risk in Latin America and the Caribbean attempts to fill this knowledge gap by identifying at-risk youth and providing policy makers with evidence-based guidance that will make their countries' investments in young people more effective. The authors find that more than half the region's young people can be considered \"at risk\" of engaging in negative behaviors, which each year reduce regional economic growth by up to 2 percent. They also confirm that the causes of risky behavior in developed countries—weak relationships with schools and family, poor self esteem, household poverty, negative gender norms, and misguided laws—are also relevant in Latin America and the Caribbean. Based on this analysis, the authors describe 23 policies and programs that experts agree are the foundation of a successful youth development portfolio, ranging from early childhood development programs to parent training to cash transfers granted in exchange for positive behaviors. It also lays out strategies for implementing such a portfolio in a budget-constrained environment. This book will be of great interest to those working in the areas of social analysis and policy, social development and protection, and poverty reduction.