Modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in university students

Abstract

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction. Currently, the risk factors are known for many diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. A part of the risk factors are modifiable, and therefore depend on health behaviour of every person. Young student age is the time to build the habits for a healthy lifestyle. Purpose. To study the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse and smoking in young university students. Material and methods. The study included 136 university students (24 males and 112 females), median age was 20 (20; 21). The risk factors such as sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, alcohol abuse and smoking were assessed using a questionnaire developed with the help of the adapted international methodologies. Results. The research revealed that 91 (67 %) students have never smoked, 29 (21 %) quit smoking and 16 (12 %) are current smokers. The physical activity analysis showed that 58 (43 %) students have 150 or more minutes of walking activity a week (excluding a way to the study place). 47 (35 %) students have workouts 2-3 times a week and 9 (7 %) do it 5-7 times a week. 50 (37 %) students do not drink alcohol. Almost half of the students (66 (46 %) people) rarely drink alcohol (up to once a week), 10 (7 %) students drink alcohol 2-3 times a week; 10 (7 %) students drink alcohol often (4-6 times per week). The assessment of the eating habits showed that only 26 (19 %) students include vegetables and fruits into their regular diet (6-7 times a week). 78 (57 %) students eat vegetables and fruits rarely (up to 2 times a week). The rest of students (32 (24 %)) almost never eat vegetables and fruits (0-1 times a week). The bratwursts and sausages are included in the daily diet in 20 (14 %) students. 62 (46 %) students eat bratwursts and sausages very often (up to 3-5 times a week). A considerable part of the students (54 (40 %)) completely refuse or rarely eat these products. Most of the students (98 (72 %)) do not drink or drink rarely (1-2 times a week) sweet carbonated soft drinks. 6 (4 %) students often (up to 6-7 times a week) drink sweet carbonated soft drinks, the median daily consumption is 500 (250; 500) ml. 50 (37 %) students refuse to visit fast food restaurants. 40 (29 %) students visit them rarely (0-1 times a week). The rest of the students (46 (34 %)) visit fast food restaurants quite often (2-3 times a week). Conclusions. The research allows to conclude that the university students don"t have the habits for keeping a healthy lifestyle. The proportion of the students who smoke is 12 %, and the number of students who often drink alcohol (more than 3 times a week) is 14 %. More than half of the students (58 %) lead a sedentary lifestyle, most of the students (60 %) eat bratwursts and sausages daily or very often. 34 % of the students often visit fast-food restaurants. But a considerable part of the students (72 %) refuse to drink sweet carbonated beverages.