The prevalence of obesity and hypertension among first-year students at Trnava University in Slovakia

Abstract

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is considered to be high in Slovaks and it could affect young adult University students. The aim of this study was to estimate anthropometric CVD risk predictors associated with environmental conditions among university students. The study population consisted of 122 first-year students (18% males and 82% females, 19.82 ± 0.5 years) attending Trnava university faculties that include the following: 65.5% of young adults from Faculty of Education and 34.5% of other faculties (33.3% from the Faculty of Law, 33.3% from the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts and 33.3% from the Faculty of Health Care and Social Work). Anthropometric measurements, including weight, height [for body mass index (BMI)] and percentage of body fat (BF) were evaluated. Measured blood pressure (BP) was used to classify for prehypertension, and I and II degree hypertension. A total 22.1% of university students were found to be prehypertensive and 18% hypertensive. Compared with future teachers who showed higher means of body fat (24.20 ± 5.14%) and frequent sedentarism, we noted higher means of all other anthropometric parameters and a higher prevalence of hypertension, being overweight and obesity among students of other faculties. By faculty grouping, the highest prevalence of being overweight and hypertension, the highest BMI and cigarette smoking were determined among the students from the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts. Students from other faculties differed in prevalence of obesity and body fat distribution (p < 0.001), hypertension (0.03), leisure-time physical activity and cigarette smoking (p < 0.05). We found significant association between hypertension and obesity, body fat, cigarette smoking and also body fat/physical inactivity (p < 0.001) among students. Our results indicate the need for implementing effective preventive reduction to the major CVD factors related to an unfavorable exogenous condition among young adult Slovaks with their specific educational trend. Key words: Obesity, hypertension, life style, gender, university students, Trnava University.