Abstract
Background: The prevalence of lifestyle diseases is increasing rapidly in Youths (17 - 25 yrs). Factors such as poor diet, little or no physical exercise, and smoking are major contributors to this increase. Lifestyle diseases in youths present a timeline challenge as disease duration is longer and financial burden more costly. Aim: To analyse and synthesize published literature on the prevalence of and risk factors associated with four lifestyle diseases—obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cancer—in university/college students worldwide. Results: The literature indicates that among lifestyle diseases in university/college students, overweight/obesity (Body Mass Index > 25 kg/m2) had the highest prevalence of 45.6% and duration of approximately 5 years. Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension had lower prevalence rates but prehypertension which lingers >4 years was at 32.0%. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) had a fairly high prevalence in college students (21.7%); type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was found in much lower percentage (12.95%). Cancer had the lowest prevalence of >2% but was increasing in most regions based on the presence of multiple risk factors. Conclusion: Increase prevalence of these diseases in youths indicates that young people are at high risk of developing these diseases due to poor early lifestyle habits. Early corrective measures can reduce the burden of many lifestyle diseases.
Highlights
Aim: To analyse and synthesize published literature on the prevalence of and risk factors associated with four lifestyle diseases—obesity, hypertension, diabetes and cancer—in university/college students worldwide
The overview will look at the percentage prevalence of four major diseases-obesity/overweight, hypertension, diabetes and cancer in university/college stu
Each year there is an increase in percentage prevalence for lifestyle diseases due to continued bad lifestyle habits such as poor diet and lack of exercise
Summary
The overview will look at the percentage prevalence of four major diseases-obesity/overweight, hypertension, diabetes and cancer in university/college stu-. The review will look at percentage prevalence across different regions worldwide including: Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America, the United States and the Caribbean. The prevalence of lifestyle diseases is increasing rapidly in Youths (17 - 25 yrs) Factors such as poor diet, little or no physical exercise, and smoking are major contributors to this increase. Results: The literature indicates that among lifestyle diseases in university/college students, overweight/obesity (Body Mass Index > 25 kg/m2) had the highest prevalence of 45.6% and duration of approximately 5 years. Conclusion: Increase prevalence of these diseases in youths indicates that young people are at high risk of developing these diseases due to poor early lifestyle habits. Corrective measures can reduce the burden of many lifestyle diseases
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