Prevalence of dyslipidemia and obesity among college students in Kuwait

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of elevated levels of lipids and obesity among college students in Kuwait. Subjects and Method: A sample of 484 students (35.74% male and 64.26% female), aged 20.35±1.33 years, were chosen randomly from the College of Basic Education, Kuwait, during the period between the beginning of March 2009 till mid January 2010. Data were collected, using a predesigned interviewing schedule that contained information related to age, gender, history of hypertension, family history of hypertension and diabetes and the smoking habits. Also, their weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Laboratory measurements such as impaired glucose tolerance test and lipid profile were investigated. Data analysis was done using the SPSS version 17 for Windows. The study was approved by the National Ethical Committee of health researches. Results: The overall proportion of both dyslipidemia, based on both hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglycemia, as well as hypertriglycemia were significantly higher among males above 18 years of age, when compared with their female counterparts or those less than 18 years aged-male students. Males showed higher proportions of risky HDL level ( 30, were more than those of females in both age groups. As regards waist circumference-based obesity, it was found that the proportions of females were more significantly higher than those of males in both age groups. Hypertension was more significantly noticed among males in comparison with their female counterparts in both age groups (p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between both sexes as regards fasting blood glucose and postprandial blood glucose. However, males had higher levels of HbA1c than had females (p=0.021). Conclusion: Prevalence of elevated levels of lipids and BMI-based obesity was higher among males than females in the college students. These results suggest the involvement of obesity and both elevated lipid levels and hypertension among males. More screening should be performed especially for overweight/obese adolescent/adult students for the risk of dyslipidemia. The research project was funded by the Public Authority of Applied Education and Training, Kuwait.