Cardiovascular risk factors in college students: comparison among sexes, undergraduation period and study areas

Abstract

Study design: A comparative cross-sectional study. Objective: The aim of this study is to compare risk factors among sexes, freshmen and senior students as well as fields of study. Methodology: Specific behaviors towards physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, dietary habits were obtained by recall method from the IPAQ and YRBSS questionnaires, measurements of weight and height for BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure were taken. Results: All continuous variables were higher for men than women (p <0.01). The waist circumference and systolic blood pressure were superior in senior students than freshmen (p <0.01). The waist circumference, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in students from Exact Sciences compared to other fields. 54.6% students proved insufficiently active, 64.8% consumed alcohol within the last month and 92.1% did not eat the recommended three or more servings of fruit per day. Conclusion: Important differences were observed in the risk factors related to moderate-vigorous physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, BMI, waist circunference and eating habits among the groups, which demonstrate the need for investments to promote changes in the students' behaviors.